In Psalm 59, David is being stalked by evil men who want to take his life, and he compares them to dogs who prowl and growl through the night. Yet David looks to God. Consider how we, when stalked by evil, look to the God of steadfast love to be our strength and fortress.
David reminds us that God is the righteous judge of the earth. This key truth teaches us how to respond to the wicked injustices in this life. We grieve, we pray, and ultimately we look forward to God's righteous judgment.
In Psalm 55, David experiences the betrayal of a close friend - someone he had taken "sweet counsel" with many times. In that betrayal, David turns to God in prayer, and he encourages the reader to do the same - to "cast your burden on the Lord" believing that "He will sustain you."
When facing betrayal and an attempt on his life, David turns to God and expresses trust in the name of the Lord. Here we find a wonderful prayer any time we are maligned for God's sake. When terrorized by evildoers, trust in the name of the Lord.
David helps us remember God's perspective on evil, and His plan to save and restore His people. Those who live as if God doesn't exist are foolish, for indeed, God sees every act of evil, and will judge every evildoer. And one day, God will save His people and set all things right. When overwhelmed by evil, trust God's plan.
There are few things more frustrating than blatant, unrestrained acts of evil. How are we to respond in times like these? David gives us direction in Psalm 52 - when we are betrayed by evildoers, we must trust in God's steadfast love.
In Christ, we are equipped to help others with identity problems,
Review the Gospel of John and see how the written Word changes everything about our lives! Listen to see Him (in the text), believe Him, and live forever for Him.
In Christ, I find the true purpose for myself, my circumstances, my roles and relationships.
Our missionary to Japan, Andrew Gonnerman, preaches from Psalm 23. Be reminded that the Lord is our Shepherd and His provision is perfect!
In Christ, I am not defined primarily by my past failures or achievements, my desires, my feelings, or my body.
Life is complicated and sometimes difficult. Even after we trust in Jesus as Savior, life can be full of confusion and uncertainties! As believers, we know that Jesus has called us to follow Him, but even that can seem tricky. See what it means to love and follow the Risen Lord.
In Christ, I am changing into His image.
We find the disciples in John 21 running back to their roots - what they know. Fishing is their home - their place to think, work, and be successful. Except they aren't. They fail. That's where we see that with the Risen Lord, we, like the disciples, have all we need to thrive in His purpose for us.
In Christ, I am a light-bearer.
Consider two scenes in this passage where Jesus appears to His disciples after the resurrection. They see Him and believe, but He nudges their faith even further by encouraging them to believe without seeing - to believe His Word.
In Christ, I am a citizen of God’s Kingdom.
In this passage Peter, John, and Mary all see something near the tomb that renews their hope. Jesus is alive. His Word is proved true. He turns our weeping to joy. Jesus is alive! Come and see. See Jesus the Risen Lord and believe!