I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 143-150.

    I have always felt that the Psalms contain directions on overcoming depression. Today’s set is certainly such a prescription. I will not say that there are not those for whom more is needed to overcome depression, but I will say that today’s psalms contain the starting point even for them. So, what is the psalmist’s prescription for depression? Step one: Cry to God for mercy and confess your sinfulness to Him. Ask God to save you from despair and to show you what you should do. Seek to do as God directs and ask Him to teach you to do His will. Meditate on the mighty miracles He has performed in the past and trust that He will do more in the future.

    The next step is to recognize that God will train you in the skills which you need to do to do His will. Yes, we mortals are mere nothings in the scope of the Universe, where God counts and knows each and every star. Yet He loves us deeply and sincerely. Which brings us to a key portion of the psalmist’s prescription: praise God. It is hard to be depressed when you are singing praises to God. Praise God morning, noon, and night. Praise Him with all of your being and to all who may hear you. Share your faith with others. Telling them what God has done for you.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 136-142.

    Every time I read Psalm 136 I hear it as a responsive reading in my head. Sometimes I hear a single voice read out the primary words with a crowd reading, “His faithful love endures forever.” Sometimes I hear it reversed. But every time it strikes me as a powerful worship experience. Let us give thanks to God because He is good.

    Then in Psalm 139 the psalmist tells us that God knows our every need, better than we do ourselves. He knows everything we do and every aspect of our being. God knows our every action, and our every thought. He knows every word we are going to speak before we even begin to formulate the thoughts behind them. God has overseen the minutest details of our existence from the moment we were conceived in our mother’s womb. There are two sides to this. There is no place we can go to hide our actions from God. No matter where we go God can see us. The other side of that is that there is no place we can end up where God cannot come to us and care for us. We cannot hide from God, nor can we be hidden from God.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 120-135.

    I really like today’s psalms and they fit together in themes. I know what I want to write about them, but I am struggling finding a coherent way to start. Let us take out troubles to the Lord. There is nothing to be gained by looking to the mountains, or the wilderness, or “nature”. He will not allow us to stumble. He is always there to catch us. As I write this I am reminded of my mother’s failing health. She has been a fall risk for some time now and needs someone around to make sure she does not fall and cannot get up. Fortunately, my Stepfather has been there for her. However, he sometimes falls asleep and she does not want to wake him when she wants to go to the bathroom or get a drink. The psalmist reminds us that God never sleeps, not even so much as a short nap. God will always be there to steady us and keep us from falling. God will watch over us as we come and go, no matter where we may find ourselves. Even now in my Mom’s twilight years, God is there for her.

    I really love the metaphor the psalmist uses in Psalm 123. Let us focus our attention on God so that we can react to His slightest signal of what He wants us to do. He gives the example of a lowly servant girl watching her mistress for the least sign. We need to watch for God’s signals about what we should do, and the minute twitches which warn us that He is displeased with our actions. Going along with that is what the psalmist says in Psalm 127, where he tells us that no amount of hard work will accomplish anything useful if God is not part of it. We can work as hard as we are able, but if we are not doing what God directs, and if God is not taking part in our effort, we will accomplish nothing useful. There is so much more in these psalms, but I am out of time. Whatever you do, whatever your lot in life, remember that God neither slumbers nor sleeps and there is great joy in serving Him.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 117-118.

    The theme today is for us to give thanks to the Lord and to praise His name. Everyone on the earth should praise the Lord because He has unfailing love for everyone. No matter who you are, no matter where you live, God’s love for you is powerful and life changing. When times are difficult, turn to the Lord, call out to the Lord for help. For, if the Lord is for you, what reason would you have to fear anyone else? Take refuge by seeking to do what God wills for you and you will be secure in the knowledge that you will be successful. No matter how numerous your opponents, you will defeat them with God’s authority. Do God’s will and you cannot fail: God will give you victory. Always trust God before you trust people. Choose which people can be trusted by how closely what they ask of you aligns with what God asks of you. God faithfully loves us and His love will endure forever.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 108-116.

    Do you share the psalmist’s confidence in God? If so, you will praise Him with all of your heart. Let us praise God among both those who also praise Him and among those who reject Him. Human help will fail us unless God helps us as well. If we continue to praise the Lord and obey His commands, the wicked will slander us. They will accuse us of persecuting the poor and needy, and hounding the depressed, even though such things are not true. If we continue to faithfully call on God in the face of such false accusations, He will humble our enemies and save us from those who condemn us.

    Those who fear the fear the Lord and obey His commands will be joyful. Despite the slanders against them, they are generous, compassionate, and righteous. Unlike the idols worshiped by others our God is in the heavens and does as He wishes. God is not limited to a specific geographic area, not even one as broad as the entire earth. As I read the psalmist’s description of the idols worshiped by many, it occurred to me how well that description fits the idols of the modern age. Many people today put their trust in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or bureaucracies. These groups have ears (the ears of the people who work for them), but do not listen. They have eyes (the eyes of the people who work for them), but they do not see. And while those organizations do speak in a way through their spokespeople, what they say is mostly lies. If we put our trust in the Lord He will hear our cries for help and richly bless us. This means we will be able to praise the Lord both now and forever.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 105-107.

    These three psalms focus on the same theme: the wondrous things God has done. The first one tells us to give thanks to God and proclaim to the entire world what He has done. In it the psalmist recounts the wonderful things which God did for the people of Israel in bringing them out of Egypt and giving them the Land of Canaan. However, he also reminds us that it is not enough to praise God, we need to seek and obey God. The second psalm repeats the themes of the first, but recounts how God was faithful and did miracles for the children of Israel even though they were unfaithful. The troubles which God saved the people from were the result of their sin. His miracles called them back to Him.

    The third psalm in today’s passage continues the them about praising God and telling others about what He has done, but it brings it to the personal. The first two looked at what God had done for the people of Israel as a group. This psalm talks about what God did for individuals. The first two told us to proclaim what God had done in guiding history. This psalm tells us to speak out about what God has done for us. The psalmist tells us not to be afraid to tell others about what God has done for us. Actually, he goes further than that, he tells us to actively bring it up, in the face of those who reject God. If you were suffering the consequences of your sins, cried out to God and were rescued, tell people about it. Be bold! Perhaps the person you are speaking with needs to call out to God.

I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Psalms 98-104.

    Yes, let us sing to the Lord! He has announced His righteousness to everyone, no one has an excuse. All of the earth will praise the Lord because He is coming to judge. When He does so He will judge with justice and righteousness. Sing, shout, clap, express your love of the Lord however you are able. Every time I read Psalm 101 I am struck by what a great guide for our lives it is. Here is the list (there is some overlap)

• Be careful to live a blameless life.
• Lead a life of integrity, even in private.
• refuse to look at anything vile or vulgar.
• Have nothing to do with those who deal crookedly
• Reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.
• Do not tolerate slander, conceit, or pride.

But that is not the whole of it, the “do nots” aren’t really the important part. No, the most important part for living a fulfilling life is seeking out faithful people to hang out with. The more time you spend with people who strive to serve the Lord, the more you will serve the Lord.

    In Psalm 102:18 the psalmist reminds us how important it is to record what God has done in our lives. But not just what He does in our lives, we need to record what God has done in the world around us and we need to make a record of the actions of God’s people which we witness. The purpose of keeping records is so that those who have not yet been born will know what God has done and praise Him for it.

    I will conclude today’s post by saying with the psalmist, “Let all that I am praise the Lord.”