April 24: Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87

April 24, Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87

Psalm 43 Do you ever feel exhausted from the attacks of your enemies? David sure did and prayed God would vindicate him and defend him from ungodly people. I can relate. We are told here to turn to God for refuge, not retaliation and it will sometimes feels as though God is not there or listening. Truth is, He is there and we are to put our hope and trust in Him because He is our salvation.

Psalm 44 If you do doubt that God is there, then this Psalm is a good reminder. Here we are reminded of what God did for the Israelites and how He rescued them. It was by God’s hand that they were saved. Also, here again we see God’s Sovereignty and how he works everything out. We win our battles in His Name, not our own. For His Glory, not our own. We can never be separated from God’s love, ever - even if it feels like it. Feelings can be misleading, God is not. Cry out to God, even when it ‘feels’ He is distant. 

Psalm 45 This is a love song to God, and a beautiful one at that. God is a King of beauty and power and majesty, and He is also just!

Psalm 49 The meditation of our hearts directed by God will be understanding - true wisdom comes from our Father. Do not follow the lifestyle or the teachings of the world, it is foolish. Don’t put your trust in riches because they wither away.

Psalm 84 We are to delight in worshipping Yahweh - it is a privilege and honor to come before Him in praise. We are blessed by God when we come to worship him… Can you say this and mean it to God… “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” How lovely it must be for God to hear His people praising Him with pure hearts…

Psalm 85 God covers all of our sin through Jesus and is steadfast in His love for us. God speaks to His kids but we cannot turn back from what He speaks to us about. This Psalm is a fantastic reminder about the love and steadiness of our Lord. He gives us what we need and guides our paths toward righteousness. 

Psalm 87 The Lord loves the dwelling places of Jacob, Zion - this is where His people were and where they worshipped Him. This is Israel, at least how God desires it to be. Even the foreign nations surrounding Zion say that God established Zion. We are to rejoice in the fact that God sets people and places apart for His Glory!

To sum it all up:

• We win our battles in His Name, not our own. For His Glory, not our own. 
• Don’t put your trust in riches because they wither away. Put your trust where you can get the greatest return on your investment, in God Almighty
• Always know that God is there for you. Trust him and pursue Him not, sin