Category: Uncategorized

JUNE 23

Psalm 123

Psalm 123:2, “so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.”

My dog Muki has a remarkable way of getting what she wants. Whether she’s hoping for a walk, waiting for her meal, or yearning for a treat, she fixes her Lab puppy eyes on me—full of devotion and expectation. And eventually, I give in. She doesn’t look at anyone else like that, because she knows I’m the one who can meet her needs. She doesn’t give up easily. Her gaze is unwavering—intense, focused, and persistent—for as long as it takes.

In a similar way, and as a servant would look to the hand of its master (Psalm 123:2), the exiled Jews fixed their eyes on God, looking to Him for mercy. They had endured enough contempt from their oppressors. Their souls were weary—“more than enough” of the scorn from those who lived at ease (Psalm 123:4). So, they lifted their eyes to the Lord. Twice the psalmist pleads, “Have mercy upon us” (Psalm 123:3).

This psalm became a song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem, echoing their deep longing for God’s intervention. As they journeyed back to the holy city for the feasts, they sang this prayer again—lifting their eyes to the only One who could truly help.

Just as Muki looks only to me, and just as the exiled Jews looked solely to God, we too are called to fix our eyes on the Lord alone for mercy. In a world full of distractions, self-reliance, and misplaced hopes, it’s easy to turn elsewhere for comfort or solutions. But true mercy—healing, forgiveness, restoration, and peace—comes from God alone. When we wait on Him with trust and expectation, His mercy can heal our hearts, lift our burdens, and breathe new life into our weary souls. It is His mercy that meets us in our weakness, carries us through trials, and assures us of God’s steadfast love.

God invites us to look to Him: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).  He sits on a throne of grace from which He freely bestows mercy and grace to help in time of need.  Let us readily go there in prayer.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”—Lamentations 3:22-23

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: Where in your life are you tempted to seek relief or answers apart from God, rather than fixing your eyes on Him for mercy? How might your daily outlook or decisions change if you truly believed God’s mercies are “new every morning?”

JUNE 20

Psalm 122

Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’”

Three times a year, faithful Jews made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, as commanded by God (Deuteronomy 16:16). For some, the journey spanned hundreds of miles and took many days, often through rugged terrain and dangerous paths—including the infamous road from Jericho, where bandits were known to strike.

Families traveled in caravans, enduring fatigue, heat, and uncertainty—all for one central purpose: to worship the Lord. Jerusalem, the “city of peace,” housed the Temple, the visible symbol of God’s presence among His people. Despite the hardships, the pilgrims were eager to go, echoing the psalmist’s joyful declaration: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” (Psalm 122:1).

Today, our journey to worship looks very different. We travel in comfort—climate-controlled cars on paved roads, facing few, if any, real threats. We gather in clean, well-equipped buildings, welcomed by friendly faces and a familiar routine. Our seats are cushioned, the service is timed, and afterward we return quickly to our everyday lives. And yet, for many, the desire to attend has faded. Statistics show that church attendance in America is at an all-time low. While there may be many explanations—busyness, convenience, even past hurts—the deeper question remains: What is our motivation?

The psalmist was glad simply to be invited to worship. Are we? Or have we grown indifferent to the very thing others risked so much to experience? The truth is, our motivation must be centered on Jesus. We go because we love Him. We gather because He is worthy. To love Jesus is to long to worship Him with others, to hear His Word faithfully taught, and to use our God-given gifts to build up the body of Christ. Church isn’t a religious habit—it’s a living expression of a relationship with Jesus and His body, the church. The more we are led by the Spirit to love Jesus, the more we will want to be with others who love Him too, expressing that love through shared worship, growth, and service.

“We ought not to worship God in a dull, lifeless manner. We must not be content with attendance—we must draw near in spirit and draw near with joy.” —Charles Spurgeon

Application questions: What is my heart attitude when it comes to gathering with God’s people—is it obligation, indifference, or joyful anticipation? How can I actively contribute to the worship and building up of the church, rather than simply attending?

JUNE 19

Psalm 121

Psalm 117:1-2, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

As with the previous psalm, this is one of the fifteen known as the “Songs of Ascents,” sung by worshipers traveling to Jerusalem for the three annual festivals. Whether by organized procession or personal pilgrimage, these journeys were long, often difficult, and filled with risk.

Unlike modern travel, these pilgrims went by foot, facing challenges such as finding food, water, and shelter—no fast food or rest stops along the way. Robbers were a constant threat, and there was no way to call for help in case of illness or injury.

So, when the Psalmist writes, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,” he may have been looking at those hills with a mix of concern and hope. The hills could hide danger. Some hills were even sites of pagan worship, but the Psalmist makes it clear: “I see the hills—they might be filled with threats or false hopes. But my help doesn’t come from there. My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

And we all need help. Life brings physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Some are minor; others are deep, hidden from others, but seen by God alone. Needs arise from trials, from life’s unpredictability, or from our own poor choices.

The Psalmist knew where to turn: to the Creator, powerful enough to make the universe and personal enough to care for every detail of our lives. The same God who feeds the birds and clothes the lilies of the field sees you and cares for you.

When trouble comes, where do you look? It’s easy to fixate on the problem or lean too heavily on people. Counsel and help from others can be good, but they should never replace our trust in God. He alone is our ultimate source of help and hope.

“My help comes not from the hills but from the One who made them!”

Application Questions: When faced with trouble or uncertainty, where do you instinctively turn first—and what would it look like to turn to God instead? How does remembering that God is the Creator of heaven and earth strengthen your confidence in His ability to help you with your current needs?

JUNE 18

Psalm 120

Psalm 120:6, “Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!”

Psalms 120–134 are known as the Songs of Ascents. These fifteen psalms were sung by Jewish pilgrims as they traveled to Jerusalem for the major festivals—Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. As they journeyed toward the holy city, they lifted their voices in praise, prayer, and remembrance. But these weren’t just songs for travelers. They were heart cries from exiles returning home. After years of captivity, Jerusalem represented more than a place—it was a symbol of restored hope and divine peace. The name Jerusalem means “city of peace.” For those coming out of places marked by deception and conflict, the name itself was a promise. In contrast to chaos, Jerusalem pointed to peace rooted in God’s presence and truth.

Psalm 120, the first in this collection, sets the tone. The psalmist cries from a world of lies and tension: “I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalm 120:7). He longs for peace but is surrounded by those who twist truth and stir strife. His cry echoes the believer’s struggle to live with integrity in a divided world.

Jesus affirmed this longing: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Yet peacemaking is not easy. It often involves hard work and difficult decisions—loving truth in a culture of deception and seeking unity in the face of division.

We’ve all witnessed the damage: broken relationships, divided communities, and churches torn apart by pride and selfish ambition. The enemy is always working to cause destruction. 

But there is hope. Just as the exiles looked to Jerusalem, we lift our eyes to the Prince of Peace and our heavenly home.  We are on a journey to a place where sin and conflict will be forever vanquished.  Along the way, we carry a sacred calling: to be ambassadors of Christ, people of peace in a world of conflict.

As we go about our daily lives—raising families, serving in church, working jobs—we are on a spiritual journey. With each step, we’re privileged to live as peacemakers. That means using our words to heal, not harm; to build up, not tear down; to seek reconciliation, not division.  To let the cry of the psalmist be our own: “I am for peace.”

“The way to heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.” —Jonathan Edwards

Application Questions: Am I living as a person of peace in a divided world? When I feel overwhelmed by conflict, do I bring my distress honestly to God like the psalmist?

JUNE 17

Psalm 119:89-178

Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Our verse reminds us how God’s Word brings clarity and direction amid life’s darkness. There are two kinds of darkness: the physical kind, where sunlight is absent, and the spiritual kind, where we are blind to truth without God’s illumination. It’s entirely possible to walk confidently in daylight yet be spiritually lost—unaware of the truths that lead to salvation and a meaningful life.

Life, much like a path, is filled with twists, turns, and hidden obstacles. One wrong step can cause us to stumble and fall. Just as we rely on a flashlight to navigate physical darkness, we need God’s Word to guide us through the spiritual darkness we face every day. Scripture doesn’t just inform, it transforms (1 Thessalonians 2:13). It reveals who God is, who we are, and how we are to live. Without it, we stumble; with it, we can walk with guidance and purpose.

Helen Keller’s story powerfully illustrates this truth. Blinded and deaf from illness as a toddler, she lived in a world of isolation until her teacher, Anne Sullivan, broke through the silence. At a water pump, Anne spelled “w-a-t-e-r” into Helen’s hand as water flowed over the other. In a moment of realization, Helen understood. She later wrote that everything she touched that day “quivered with life.” Her dark world was suddenly filled with light and meaning.

In the same way that Helen needed Anne to reveal the truth about her world, we need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the truth that leads us safely through life (1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 John 2:27). As the Spirit teaches us, God’s Word brings light to our souls, meaning to our lives, and direction for each step we take.

So, are you walking in the light of God’s Word—or merely in the light of the sun? Physical sight does not guarantee spiritual clarity. Make Scripture your daily guide. Let it teach, correct, comfort, and lead you (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Like Helen discovering the word “water,” you will find that God’s Word awakens a new path of beholding truth—one that lights your path, step by step.

“The Bible is not only a book which was once spoken, but a book which is now speaking.” — A.W. Tozer

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own understanding instead of seeking guidance from God’s Word? How can you make time each day to let Scripture shape your thoughts, decisions, and direction?

JUNE 16

Psalm 119:1-88

Psalm 119:16, “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

Pastor Max Snook has served faithfully as the pastor of St. Helens Community Bible Church since its beginning over 40 years ago. My wife Laura and I were there in those early days, when the church met in the local senior center. We would help set up chairs before service began—simple, humble beginnings.

I remember how Pastor Max was preaching through Psalm 119, taking one stanza each Sunday. Each week we explored another layer of the psalmist’s love for God’s Word, and in the process, we were witnessing Max’s love for it too. Like the psalmist, he delighted in the Word and held tightly to it. And he invited us to do the same, purposing to establish the church on that firm foundation.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible—22 stanzas corresponding to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. What’s more, each verse within a stanza begins with the same Hebrew letter. While that structure is hidden in our English translations, it shows the care and intention behind every line. This is no ordinary poem; it’s a declaration of devotion: “I will not forget your word.” (Psalm 119:16)

Over the decades, Pastor Max has lived that verse. He has not forgotten God’s Word. Through trials, growth, and change, he has remained rooted in Scripture and has faithfully led others to do the same.

Psalm 119 challenges us to ask: How central is God’s Word in my life? Do I love it, delight in it, meditate on it, and live by it? Pastor Max’s lifetime love for the Word reminds us that this devotion isn’t cultivated in a moment—it’s built over a lifetime of choosing the Word again and again.

Wherever you are today—whether just beginning your walk with Christ or decades along the path—let the psalmist’s cry become your own: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).” May we, like Pastor Max and the psalmist before him, treasure the Word deeply and pass that love on to others.

“A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” — Charles H. Spurgeon

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: What disciplines can you build today to deepen your love for and commitment to God’s Word over your lifetime? Who in your life can you encourage or mentor by sharing of your love for the Word and what you have learned (1 Timothy 2:2)?

JUNE 13

Psalm 118

Psalm 118:22-23, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”

Psalm 118 is a triumphant song of thanksgiving and victory. It celebrates God’s steadfast love and His power to deliver His people from distress. The psalm opens and closes with a joyful refrain: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 118:1, 29)

At its heart lies a profound message of reversal and redemption, powerfully captured in our verses.  A passage that is amongst the most quoted Old Testament passage found in the New Testament.  But what’s the meaning?

In ancient construction, especially in temple and palace building, stones were carefully inspected by builders. If a stone was misshapen, cracked, or didn’t appear useful, it was cast aside. But on rare occasions, a stone that was once rejected was later recognized as the perfect fit—particularly as the cornerstone, the most essential and load-bearing stone in the entire structure.

To say that a rejected stone becomes the cornerstone is to say that what seemed useless or unworthy was, in the end, most essential.  Originally, these words likely applied to Israel or to King David—once rejected but later chosen by God. But the New Testament reveals a deeper fulfillment: Jesus quoted this verse (Matthew 21:42) to describe Himself. He was the stone rejected by the religious “builders” of Israel—dismissed, betrayed, and crucified. Yet in His resurrection, He became the cornerstone of the church in God’s redemptive plan. The apostles echoed this truth in Acts 4:11 and 1 Peter 2:7.

What others rejected, God exalted. Jesus—despised, condemned, and crucified—has become the cornerstone of salvation. There is no other name by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). In a world that still largely rejects Him, we are reminded that our faith must rest in Him alone. 

“Christ is the cornerstone rejected by the builders, but chosen and precious to God. In Him alone is our salvation and our firm foundation.” — Charles Spurgeon

Application questions: What makes what God did so marvelous?  Have you seen God take something that seemed worthless or broken in your life and turn it into something beautiful? How does knowing that God is able to do such thing work to encourage your faith?

JUNE 12

Psalm 117

Psalm 117:1-2, “Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”

Not only is Psalm 117 the shortest of all 150 psalms, but it is also the briefest chapter in the entire Bible—just two verses long. Yet within its few words lies a call that echoes across the nations and across the centuries.  It offers no small praise.  It’s a call for all peoples—not just Israel—to worship the Lord because of two unshakable truths: His steadfast love and His enduring faithfulness.

We are all relational beings, wired for connection to others. Yet every human relationship—no matter how sincere—struggles at times. We hurt each other. We drift apart. Even our most treasured commitments, like marriage, are tested by our humanness. We rightly honor couples who celebrate many years of marriage, recognizing how rare enduring faithfulness can be. But even at our best, our love is fragile and our ability to remain faithful ends when our lives do.

God is not like us. His love is perfect, eternal, and unchanging. His faithfulness does not depend on our consistency or worthiness. Even when we are unfaithful, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13).

This truth was tested and proven through history. When Jerusalem fell due to the nation’s long disobedience, the prophet Jeremiah witnessed the devastation with a broken heart. He saw the temple destroyed, families torn apart, and a once-proud city reduced to ruin. His grief was raw and overwhelming. Yet, in the middle of his mourning, Jeremiah remembered something greater than the pain: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21–23).”

Even in the ashes of judgment, God’s faithful love remained. And that same love remains today—for all who call on His name. In a world where love can feel conditional and faithfulness short-lived, Psalm 117 reminds us where our faith must rest. This short psalm invites us not only to praise, but to trust—a trust anchored not in circumstances, but in the eternal character of God.

““God’s faithfulness means that God will always do what He said and fulfill what He has promised.” — Wayne Grudem

Application Questions: What does it mean to you that God’s love and faithfulness are not limited by your failures or circumstances? How might this truth change the way you approach Him today? Where in your life do you need to be reminded that God’s mercy is new every morning?

JUNE 11

Psalm 116

Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”

Death. We do everything we can to avoid it. In my work as a hospice chaplain, I’ve witnessed again and again how death disrupts lives and brings deep sorrow to those left behind. It is often preceded by the slow loss of health and vitality, accompanied by painful goodbyes, the letting go of freedom, the abandonment of dreams, and finally, separation from loved ones. In light of all this, how can something so painful ever be called precious?

Yet Scripture tells us, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15). What we see as a tragic ending, God sees as a sacred homecoming. For those who belong to Him, death is not a defeat—it is the triumphant passage into His eternal presence. It is precious, not because of the pain it brings, but because of the homecoming it represents.  In death, the victory won at the cross meets with its triumphant intent. The God who numbers our days does not view the final one with indifference. He calls it precious.

The Apostle Paul wrestled with this reality too. Facing the possibility of death, he wrote, “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:23–24). To Paul, leaving this life meant being with Jesus—a far better and glorious reality. Yet he also recognized the importance of living on to serve others.

For the believer, this changes everything. Grief is still real, but it is no longer hopeless. We mourn, but not as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). When that final breath comes, it is not the end—it constitutes moving an eternal home where sorrow and pain and death and sin exist no more; a glorious transformation where our lowly bodies are transformed into conformity with Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:1, Philippians 3:21).

In moments of fear or sadness about death—whether for yourself or a loved one—remember that death for the believer is not the final chapter, but a transition into God’s eternal presence. This truth can bring peace amid grief and hope beyond loss. Consider how this hope shapes the way you live today, encouraging you to not fear death, but to trust God in his promises as you set your “mind on things above, not on things that are on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).

“For the Christian, death is the doorway to joy. It is precious because it means going home to the presence of God, where suffering and pain are no more.” — John Piper

Application Questions: How does knowing that the death of God’s saints is precious in His sight change your perspective on loss and grief? How can Paul’s perspective—that being with Jesus is very much better—help to mold your perspective as you confront the reality of death?

JUNE 10

Psalm 115

Psalm 115:9, “O Israel trust in the Lord!”
Psalm 115:10, “O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!”
Psalm 115:11, “You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!”

Psalm 115 exhorts everyone to place their trust not in themselves or in lifeless idols, but in the living and powerful God. It begins with the humble confession, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” (Psalm 115:1)

The psalmist dramatically exposes the futility of trust in idols, saying: “They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk… and those who make them become like them.” (Psalm 115:5–8)

These verses highlight how absurd it is to trust in anything made by human hands—things that can never act, speak, or save. And Scripture gives us a vivid and even humorous picture of this truth in 1 Kings 18, when Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal.

In a dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel, Elijah invites the prophets of Baal to call on their god to send fire from heaven. They cry out from morning until noon, dancing and shouting. But there is no response. Then Elijah mocks them: “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” (1 Kings 18:27)

It’s both insightful and humorous—Elijah reveals their god to be as powerless and absent as the idols described in Psalm 115. In stark contrast, Elijah prays a simple prayer to the Lord, and God answers with fire from heaven, proving beyond question that He is the true and living God.

Psalm 115 reminds us that our hope must not rest in what we create—whether idols of wood and stone, or any of the more sophisticated modern-day idols that work to take the place of God in our hearts. Our trust belongs to the God who sees, hears, speaks, and saves. He alone is worthy of glory, and He alone is powerful to save (Psalm 115:9–11).

“A god who cannot speak, act, or save is no god at all.” — R.C. Sproul

Application Questions: Are there “modern idols” in your life—things you rely on for security, identity, or hope—that cannot truly speak, help, or save? What would it look like to turn from those and trust God more fully?