>Psalm 58 is like Psalm 57 (see yesterday's post) in overdrive. The image of wicked liars as lions continues full force with this prayer:O God, break the teeth in their mouths;tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD! (v. 6).Psalm 58 is one of what are sometimes called "imprecatory" Psalms, designated that way … Continue reading >Broken Teeth & Torn Fangs (Psalm 58)

>Way back when, before my lengthy posts about becoming a discerning reader and before my lengthy post-surgical absence, my last devotional post was on Psalm 56, "Tears in a Bottle."This week marks my effort to get back into pre-surgical work mode, which means I'm blogging as the first work segment of my day. And I'm … Continue reading >Lying Amid Lions (Psalm 57)

>While repeatedly reading Psalm 56, I always pause at the words of verse 8:You have kept count of my tossings;put my tears in your bottle.Are they not in your book?The beauty of this imagery is almost too much to comprehend. God not only knows how many times I toss and turn when I wake in … Continue reading >Tears in a Bottle (Psalm 56)

>Since my last blog (on Psalm 49) some significant things have happened in my life and in our country.I've been experiencing a health struggle and our nation is just beginning what I am convinced will be a major health care reform struggle.Will God use this new socialization as judgment on our nation? It's possible, but … Continue reading >No Salvation in Socialism (Psalm 50)

>When I wake in the night and can't get back to sleep, I try to pray God's words back to him by repeating sections of Psalms. But when I woke early this morning, I just couldn't seem to recall very many; my mind was full of family and financial concerns.Finally getting up, I read Psalm … Continue reading >Resting in Peace (Psalm 49)

>God continues to speak directly to me in the Psalms. Yesterday was a long day: a long morning of uncomfortable sitting, strained listening, and concentrated note-taking at Classis; followed by a long afternoon and a longer evening of frustrating searching, stressful sorting, and interminable calculating for taxes.This morning I read Psalm 48:Great is the LORD … Continue reading >The gentle whisper

>After a late evening in which I heard remarks or received information that demonstrated effective ways forces of evil harm the churches and our nation, I woke this morning with a backache and tired eyes, exacerbated by an anxious spirit and a discouraged mind.Providentially, the next psalm in my devotional reading was Psalm 47:Clap your … Continue reading >In media res (Psalm 47)

>Yesterday while I exercised at Anytime Fitness, I watched a documentary about the 1883 volcanic eruption that sunk two-thirds of the island of Krakatoa. The resulting tsunami claimed more lives than the actual eruption.This morning I read Psalm 46:God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fearthough the earth … Continue reading >God as our refuge

>I am amazed at how God's Word spoke directly to me this morning.Regular readers will know that I've been slowly working through the Psalms. This morning I nearly skipped reading the next Psalm. I have four writing projects that must be completed by tomorrow evening; it would be better if they were completed today, but … Continue reading >Psalm 40 speaks to me

>With 19 project notes currently strung above my monitor, this morning's devotions from Psalm 39 seem particularly apt. These project notes are not mere reminders. They are not personal projects (like [shudder] TAXES). They are sticky notes about separate work projects that hang (very nearly literally) over my head. This morning I woke, filled with … Continue reading >Carpe Diem!