Well Lit Path

EP.59 - Satisfied with Praise

In Psalm 63, David gives us quite the pattern for praise. He is in a situation where once again it would be easy to ask God why, instead he thanks God for being exactly what he needs when he needs it.
Do we thirst after God? Praise Him, he can quench it!
Are we hungry for God? Praise Him, he can satisfy!
What is our praise life like? Do we praise him and thank him for all he is and all he does, or are we calling out for help? Do we praise him with our lips and our actions? Let's look at how we can please God by praising Him.

EP.58 - I shall not be moved

Psalm 62 shows us a few "only"s that we need to take note of. David found that only God could provide some of the things he needed.
Our recognition of the "only"s we need in our lives is made apparent to us according to our perception of the presence of God. While he is always present and always near, our relationship with him dictates how we perceive his presence, whether we perceive him to be close our far away. 
David stressed that we should always seek to perceive the closeness of his presence. And it is in the "only"s that we can find how to stay aware of our need for his closeness.

EP.57 - From the dumps to the higher rock

In Psalm 61, David lets us in on his answer to what to do when we feel overwhelmed.
Yep, life is hard. It can seem like a grind. That can make us feel like we're low, like we're down in the dumps. We've tried everything, we just can seem to get out of our funk. Yeah, we've prayed, but our situation just hasn't changed.
Have we asked to be led? Not to better circumstances, but to a better standing? Have we asked for help instead of asking for God to just fix everything? 
Are we listening?

EP.56 - Valiant in Tragedy

This Psalm is written on the heels of a great tragedy in Israel. 
It's easy to get in the mindset that tragedy strikes as punishment for a fault in our lives. What we must realize is that in a sin-cursed world, sometimes tragedy touches our lives because of living in a sin-cursed world.
When we face tragedy, can we approach it valiantly (with great strength TO conquer)? Psalm 60 gives us hope in tragedy.
 

EP.55 - I'm in the Lord's Army

In Psalm 58 & 59, David speaks of corruptness in high places and attacks from all sides in his own country. 
Sound familiar? What did he do? What can we do? 
What we know of David is that he was a man of war but also the apple of God's eye. Is it possible to be both today? As Christians should we be waging war on the behalf of our Savior? 
We are in a battle. We are up against wickedness on every side. Will we build up defenses or we will run toward the fray and fight? What should the Lord's army be doing in this age? Psalm 58 & 59 may hold some answers for us.

EP.54 - Come out Singing

As we look at Psalm 57, David finds himself in a cave after his fateful trip to Goliath's hometown. Hiding out. He could have allowed anxiety and fear to rule his thoughts, instead he prays and praises. 
As he lays his head down, he rests in the confidence that God is faithful and that morning would come.
As we look at our lives today and a world filled with anxiety and fear even in the lives of Christians, do we lay down worrying about tomorrow, or do we lay down trusting he has tomorrow and emerge from sleep singing praises to our God.
From our cave, do we come out singing?

EP.53 - Enemies Abound, God is faithful

Psalm 56 thrusts us into the life of David regarding his first trip to Gath, where he had to fake insanity to leave the city alive.
What we find is that is is a beautiful reminder of how God hears our cries and has secured victory in our lives. It gives us assurance that while our enemies are many - and more powerful than us - that they are not more powerful than the God we serve, the God that in this New Testament age dwells within us. 
He is always present now just as he was then, and we have victory in him.

EP.52 - Peace - the Best Remedy for the Blues

In Psalm 55, David once again laments the situation with his son Absalom and the betrayal of his trusted friend Ahithophel. 
But in the struggle, he gives us some options how we can deal with our struggles. In the end, he points us to the ultimate solution - finding peace in the struggle, even if the struggle persists.