Aug 27 Devo Psalm 40

Chapter 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my
feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many
will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the
proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you
planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and
tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have
opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the
scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”
9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips,
LORD, as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness
and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.
Meditation
1. This song is a prayer for help when troubles abound. It is also a celebration
of God’s mercy in times of need. It begins with praise of
God for his past mercies (vv1-5) and a testimony to the kings’ own
faithfulness to the Lord (vv6-10). The rest of the song is a prayer
for help.
2. In your own times of need, when God seems to take too long to
help you, what “false gods” (v4) offer tempting alternative solutions
to you? What happened the last time you relied on one of
those “gods”?
3. What in your life feels like a “slimy pit”? (v2) Which helps you
most with present troubles: remembering God’s actions in the past?
Or claiming God’s promises for the future? Why?
Prayer

Psalm 36 Aug 24

Chapter 36
1 I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of
the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes.
2 In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate
their sin.
3 The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act
wisely or do good.
4 Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful
course and do not reject what is wrong.
5 Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the
skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the
great deep. You, LORD, preserve both people and animals.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the
shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from
your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
10 Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the
upright in heart.
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the
wicked drive me away.
12 See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!

Meditation
1. In the Psalms, the “righteous” seem to be those who may do evil but
are generally seeking to please God. The “wicked” are those who,
despite good they may do, are generally rejecting God’s ways.
2. David was completely convinced that evildoers will be “thrown
down” by the Lord (v12).
3. David’s conviction that the wicked must fail rested squarely on his
understanding of who God is. He is assured that God will judge the
wicked and continue to display love toward those who know him.

Personal Note:
As I read this passage, I am reminded of what goes on in the news.  The news often mention dispute amongst government and unions, how tax payers money gone to waste by corruptions in the government, civil wars around the world.  All these result in one thing: Injustice to the poor and vulnerable.  There is nothing in this world to put our trust in.  Only your unfailing love gives true rest.

Devo Aug 7 Psalm 25

Chapter 25
1 In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.
2 I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies
triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.
4 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.
8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his
ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is
great.

Meditation
1. What can we expect from God to deliver us from shame? We can
expect God to show us his way, guiding and teaching us by his truth
(vv4-5). We can expect God to forgive us, freeing us from the burden
of our past and purifying us (vv6-7).
2. Because God is good, he guides the humble into what is right (vv8-
10). Because he is gracious, he forgives even great iniquity (v11).
What a wonderful God we have.
3. What are you most in need of today: protection, guidance or forgiveness?
Do you feel you will receive it? Why or why not?
Speak to God about it and wait for God’s response. Continue this
conversation with God throughout the day.

Aug 3 Devo Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet
waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Meditation
1. Read aloud this familiar psalm of the Bible.
2. Now read it again in the negative (“The Lord is not my shepherd…”).
What verse is most disturbing to you? Why?
3. Now read this psalm the right way again. Any new insight? Talk
with God about your insights.

Devo Aug 2 Psalm 22

Chapter 22
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far
from saving me,so far from my cries of anguish?
2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find
no rest.
3 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.
4 In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered
them.
5 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not
put to shame.
6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the
people.
7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads.
8 “He trusts in the LORD,” they say, “let the LORD rescue him. Let him
deliver him, since he delights in him.”
9 Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you, even
at my mother’s breast.
10 From birth I was cast on you; from my mother’s womb you have been
my God.
11 Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

Meditation
1. The opening words of this psalm: “My God, my God, why have
you forsaken me”, was quoted by Jesus on the cross (Matt 27:46).
This is also David’s cry to God during his many troubled times.
2. Jesus’ was forsaken on the cross so that we would be received by
God. Then God promised that “I will never leave you nor forsake
you”(Heb 13:5). God has also promised to be with us forever (Matt
28:20).
3. No matter what your circumstance is, remember: God will never
forsake you. Cry to God as David did, and wait patiently for his
response with a thankful heart.

Devo Aug 1 Psalm 21

Chapter 21
1 The king rejoices in your strength, LORD. How great is his joy in the
victories you give!
2 You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the
request of his lips.
3 You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure
gold on his head.
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—length of days, for ever
and ever.
5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed
on him splendor and majesty.
6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad
with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most
High he will not be shaken.
8 Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize
your foes.
9 When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing
furnace. The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire
will consume them.
10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from
mankind.
11 Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they
cannot succeed.
12 You will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with
drawn bow.
13 Be exalted in your strength, LORD; we will sing and praise your
might.

Meditation
1. David lists the blessings of faithfully following after God in this
passage: the victories won (v1), desires granted (v2), prayers answered
(v2), presence welcomed (v3), crown given (v3), life – forever
and ever (v4), glory bestowed (v5), joy in God’s presence (v6),
unfailing love (v7).
2. Remembering what God has done for us is a continual source of
joy.
3. Make a list of the blessings you’ve received from God. Go through
the list and thank God for all of the blessings one by one.

Personal note:
I made a list of what God has done for me.  God provided me with a beautiful home, a lovely wife, a protective upbringing, a caring mentor, a strong church leadership.  God forgave me of my sins through Jesus Christ.  He freed me from the bondage of sin.  He guides my direction.  He sustains my health and strength.  He nurtures me spiritually.  He loves me unconditionally.  He led me to live in peace with His presence.

After going through the list and praying of thanksgiving, I realized that I placed the things I value the most first.  Later on, I put the "theologically" correct blessings later.  The list reveals the condition of my heart.  With PGC moving in the direction of having evangelism as the driving force, I would not be able to lead effectively when what I value the most isn't the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ!

I prayed and ask God for guidance.  I was led to review what I was called to do when I entered seminary.  I am to begin the day in thanksgiving and dedication to Jesus Christ.  I felt peaceful with the presence of God when the Spirit prompt me in this direction.