To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed let no one who waits on You be ashamed; Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. Psalm 25:1-2 NKJV
 
David brings everything before the Lord. He prays for deliverance from his enemies, forgiveness for his sins and help during affliction. David is confident Almighty God will answer his prayer.
 
David was not afraid to bring his heart and soul before the Lord. He held nothing back from his God. His trust in the Lord was strong and true.
 
David was surrounded by enemies. Some of them were members of his family. Others were the enemies of his people. David had nothing to fear from any of them. God was with him!
 
David’s sinful nature was the only enemy capable of shaming him. It happened more than once.
 
When I present myself before the Lord I try not to hold anything back. I confess my sins failures and mistakes. I confess my weakness and lack of faith. I also ask God not to leave me to myself. I trust Him that much!
 
The Lord said He would give me what I need when I need it. It is a promise I hang on to during the darkest seasons of life. The God of my faith has been faithful to keep His promise.
 
God did not just promise to give me material things when I need them. It is not just a promise to give me faith wisdom and guidance when I need it.
 
It is a promise to bring correction and discipline into my life when I need it. It is a promise to bring hardship and trial into my life when they are needed. It is a promise never to leave me to myself. Jesus is with me today!
 
My poor choices and sinful actions are the only things that can shame me. I have nothing to fear from anyone who seeks to harm me!
 
Lift up your soul to Jesus. Trust Jesus with your life!
 
Ask the Lord not to leave you to yourself. Poor choices and sinful actions are the only things that shame you. You have nothing to fear from anyone who wants to harm you. Jesus is with you today!
 
Ask the Lord to show you His ways. Ask Him to teach you where to go and what to do. Jesus is the God of salvation. No one who waits on the Lord will ever be put to shame!
 
Jesus promised never to leave you. Jesus will keep His promise!
 
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The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters. Psalm 24:1-2 NKJV
 
My wife and I moved. I started a new job. We are in a season of change. Change can bring uncertainty doubt and fear.
 
I wish I could say I have been a role model of faith during my career change. I have not. I have done some things right. I gave my first paycheck to the Lord. It was His to begin with. The earth and all it contains belongs to Jesus.
 
My heart is full of the goodness of God. I was not looking for a job. The Lord moved me. He is giving me favor. This is where He wants me at this particular time in my life.
 
God created me. He saved me. I offered myself up to Him as a living sacrifice. It was a pleasant aroma that arose before Him. I was His from the beginning but He is pleased that I surrendered my heart and life to Jesus!
 
I struggle to live according to God’s will for my life at times. All Christians do. When I struggle it is because I forget God created the earth and all it contains. He can do anything He wants with me anytime He wants to do it.
 
Our new home is within walking distance of the beach. I hear the sound of waves crashing on the shore. It is an awesome and fearful noise.
 
God created the heavens and the earth with a word. I wonder what it sounded like. Was it a mighty and fearsome sound so powerful no human could withstand it? Or was it spoken in the soft hushed voice of a father to his beloved in the night?
 
All things belong to God. Jesus loves us as only He can. The Lord wants us to give ourselves to Him so He can save other people. Jesus can move us anywhere anytime to accomplish His good and perfect plan for His creation!
 
I wrote those words four years ago. It was an exciting season of change and adventure. Living near the beach was so much fun. Starting a new job was very exciting. Stepping out into the unknown was a great adventure.
 
Trials and troubles followed me to the beach. Sin crouched at my door. When my wife was ill I chose to care for her rather than go to work. I chose to start each day in faith by sending out these devotions regardless of my circumstances. God blessed me!
 
Our lives are not our own. We belong to Jesus. Our sins failures and fears do not separate us from God’s love. Our circumstances should not determine our faith!
 
Today is a new day. It is a new opportunity to walk by faith. Open your heart to the King of Glory. Jesus is strong and mighty. He fights for your soul day and night. Jesus fights for you because He loves you!
 
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Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 NKJV
 
David’s declaration of faith in God’s goodness reveals the desire of his heart.
 
God blessed David. That does not mean he didn’t struggle. His life was full of conflict. David made mistakes. He sinned. It was a measure of his faith that he never wavered in his belief that the goodness and mercy of God would follow him all the days of his life.
 
David did not judge the goodness and mercy of God by his circumstances. God is perfect and holy. Our circumstances do not affect Him in anyway shape or form. If they did He could not rule over creation in perfect wisdom and justice.
 
Are you a born again disciple of Jesus Christ? If so the goodness and mercy of God will follow you all the days of your life.
 
Do not judge God by your circumstances. Your circumstances do not affect God’s holiness and perfection. God loves you so much your sins failures and mistakes cannot separate you from His love and favor!
 
Things David wrote have been used in songs sermons prayers and poems for centuries. The description of him being a person after God’s own heart should encourage us in our faith.
 
David allowed the Lord to give him His heart. He allowed the Lord to fill his mind with God’s wisdom and desires. Nothing could stop David from seeking after the Lord. His sins and failures did not keep David from desiring intimate relationship with God.
 
David never called himself a man after God’s own heart. The Lord did. David never attributed God’s favor to anything he could do in his own strength and wisdom.
 
David attributed the Lord’s favor on his life to the goodness and mercy of God. The reality of God’s goodness and mercy is the reason David desired to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life!
 
We can have the desire to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our lives! We can believe the goodness and mercy of God will follow us all the days of our lives!
 
Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus will give us what we need when we need it to serve Him. Give the Lord something to work with.
 
Trust in the goodness and mercy of God. Set the desire of your heart on dwelling in the house of the Lord forever!
 
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You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Psalm 23:5 NKJV
 
David’s confidence in the grace of God was as strong as the God of grace.
 
From one man who had the faith to believe God the Lord raised up a great nation. In a time of famine God led them to a land of plenty. When the nation God used to provide for His people turned against them the Lord led them into the land of promise.
 
When Israel cried out for a king God gave them a man after their own hearts. When the king filled his heart with pride God chose a man of humility. The Lord gave him victory over His enemies.
 
God’s enemies were David’s enemies. David never claimed victory in his own name. He never took hold of God’s glory. He fought Israel’s enemies all around in the strength and name of Almighty God. David fought for the Lord’s glory and honor!
 
The Jewish people have been despised throughout history. They have been surrounded by enemies on all sides. They have been attacked by armies more numerous time and time again. The Jewish people prosper. They prosper because God is with them!
 
God used David to mock His enemies. When David went out to meet Goliath the mighty giant said, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks? Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.”
 
David replied, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts; the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”
 
The boy who would grow into a man after God’s own heart mocked the giant by turning his threat against him. God anointed David to be king over His people. He blessed David. God gave David what he needed when he needed it to serve the Lord!
 
God wants to use you to mock His enemies today. God has anointed you to be a leader among His people today. It is Jesus who blesses you and gives you what you need when you need it to serve the Lord. Serve Jesus with the boldness that threatens His enemies!
 
You will never have to fight a giant man of war. You will face giant obstacles in your walk of faith. You will not have to face them alone. Jesus will give you victory so that all the earth will know there is a God in heaven.
 
Is your confidence in the grace of God as strong as the God of grace? It can be!
 
Fight your battle of faith in the strength and name of Jesus. Fight in faith for the glory and honor of Jesus!
 
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He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:3 NKJV
 
Faith is a wondrous gift given to people who choose it. The Father of Lights freely gives it without finding fault or respecting one person more than another. There is no work required to receive God’s free gift of faith. There are choices to be made.
 
Jesus promised we would have tribulation in this world. It is just as true and reliable as His promise never to leave us nor forsake us. He also said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
 
We all suffer broken hearts. We will all experience anguish in our souls. There will be seasons of weeping and sorrow. Darkness may hang over us like a dreadful day without sunshine. Weeping may endure for a night. We can receive joy in the morning.
 
We receive joy the same way we receive salvation, by faith!
 
The Lord restores my soul. He does it daily. He restores my soul by reminding me that He is with me. His love surrounds me. He is my beloved Father. I am His beloved son! Jesus does not necessarily give me the faith I need for tomorrow.
 
Righteousness is also a gift Jesus gives to people who choose to it. You can’t earn it. You can’t steal it. You can’t buy it. It can only be given by the One who is righteous!
 
Only Jesus can lead us in paths of righteousness. He does it for His own glory. He does it because His heart is filled with love for us.
 
David knew righteousness is not a license to sin. He knew his sins did not separate him from God’s leadership into paths of righteousness. Do you?
 
Many of us carry the burden of pain and sorrow. I do. My heart is broken. My soul is grieved. Jesus restores my soul as often as it needs restoring.
 
God’s grace is stronger than my grief. His mercy is greater than my mistakes and failures. His love conquers my fear. I hang on to the Lord’s promises as if my life depends on them, because it does!
 
You may be carrying the burden of pain and sorrow. Your heart may be broken. Your soul may be grieved. Ask God to restore your soul. Ask Him to lead you into paths of righteousness today.
 
Jesus will answer with grace that is stronger than your grief and mercy that is greater than your mistakes and failures. Jesus will answer with love that conquers your fears!
 
Jesus can restore your soul. He can lead you in paths of righteousness. Hang on to the Lord’s promises as if your spiritual life depends on them, because it does!
 
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The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalm 23 NKJV
 
This is the famous Psalm of David. For many of us it is a favorite passage of scripture. It is biblical literature at its best. It is a beautiful poem and song. For David it was reality. 
 
David was a Shepherd. He became the leader of his people. David was a lamb in God’s flock. He looked to his great and merciful Shepherd to meet his needs. God referred to David as a man after His own heart.
 
David sinned against God and his people. He did not avoid judgment and punishment. He knew the depths of God’s grace and mercy. He continued to seek and serve the Lord. David knew God is righteous and just. He knew God brings correction to restore us.
 
David trusted in the grace and mercy of God. He knew God desires relationship with His people above all things. Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with the Great Shepherd and Lover of Our Souls.
 
You and I sin. It is part of the human experience. Do not avoid God’s judgment. Trust in His grace and mercy. Continue to seek and serve Jesus. He is just and righteous. He corrects us because He loves us. Jesus uses His rod and staff to restore us!
 
David wrote these beautiful words because God’s love impacted Him in such a powerful way he needed an outlet to express it.
 
David was not writing a song or a poem. He was glorifying God. He may have intended to simply state the facts but was overcome with the reality of God’s love. God loved David. David knew it!
 
The God who loves David loves you. Jesus desires relationship with you above all things. Let God’s love sink deep down into your soul. Jesus wants you to be so impacted by His love you need an outlet to express it!
 
The Great Shepherd meets our needs. Jesus gives us a place to rest in the safety of His love. He leads us into the still waters of peace. He restores our souls with His forgiveness and mercy. He leads us into paths of righteousness!
 
Goodness and mercy follows people who join with the flock of the Great Shepherd. People who love and trust Jesus will live in His Father’s house forever. Each room in the Father’s house is filled with love laughter and blessed perfection. Reserve yours today!
 
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The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want Psalm 23:1 NKJV
 
A warrior king conquered his enemies. He vanquished his foes. A wandering tribe became a great nation. Feeding his fleshly desires brought pain and heartache to David and the children of Israel.
 
When David walked in humility God met his needs. When David wrote Psalm 23 his mind was not on fleshly desires. His heart was steadfastly on the Lord. David knew he had needs only God could meet.
 
When the desire of his heart was to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life David wanted for nothing. We can choose to let God meet our needs today or we can feed our flesh and bring pain and heartache into our homes and communities!
 
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Vs 2
 
In green pastures sheep can rest from foraging between the rocks for dry stubble. Their hooves are not cut and pricked by the jagged rocks of dry places. They can lay down in comfort rest and rise to feed in a place of plenty.
 
Sheep are easily frightened. Rushing waters scare them. Their wool soaks up water and makes them vulnerable to drowning. The noise of rushing waters makes it easier for predators to sneak up on them. Still waters provide a refreshing drink with less danger.
 
The children of Israel took great care of their sheep. Their flocks were a measure of financial health and responsible living. As a shepherd in Israel David took his sheep into green pastures. He led them beside still waters.
 
David knew the blessedness of trusting God to lead him into places where he could rest in peace and safety. All the days of his life David was a lamb in God’s flock. He trusted and loved the Great Shepherd of His soul!
 
Jesus is my Great Shepherd. He meets all my needs. He gives me peace and calms my heart in times of trial and trouble. I can have joy and be assured of His blessing and protection today even though I do not know what tomorrow may bring.
 
Jesus gives me a place where I can rest in prosperity of spirit. I can partake of the Lord’s blessing in safety. Jesus prepares me to face the rushing waters of heartache and sorrow because my future is secure. I will dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life!
 
Let Jesus give your soul rest today. Let the Good Shepherd lead you into the green pastures that await you in eternity!
 
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My God, My God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me? And from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent. Psalm 22:1-2 NKJV
 
David prayed in great distress. David’s lament was so profound and deeply heartfelt Jesus quoted the opening words of this psalm on the cross.
 
No one was more dearly loved and blessed by God than David. He walked in amazing boldness. He won great victories through faith in God. The Lord’s hand was upon David all his life.
 
David received God’s love with thanksgiving. He acknowledged God’s blessing on his life. David gave God the glory for all he did. David served the Lord by serving God’s people.
 
Why is the man described as having a heart after God’s feeling forsaken? Why is David crying out as if God has removed His hand of blessing and protection?
 
David spent too much time looking into the mirror of his sin and failure. David saw his enemies crouching at his door. David viewed his relationship with God through the lens of his circumstances.
 
David was giving more validity to his feelings and emotions than God’s faithfulness!
 
David concluded this psalm by declaring God will answer his prayer and draw near to him. David declares he will give praise and honor to God. David said all the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord.
 
David knew the goodness and mercy of God would prevail over his circumstances!
 
David did what a lot of us are doing today. We sulk in the circumstances of trials and hardships feeling as though God has forsaken us. We convince ourselves God has forgotten us. We take a victims stance when we should walking in Jesus’ victory!
 
We give more validity to our feelings and emotions than the reality of God’s faithfulness!
 
We know the Lord will answer our prayers. We know Jesus will deliver us from our circumstances. But we choose to live under our circumstances rather than above them.
 
Our circumstances do not validate God’s faithfulness. The bible does. We are God’s beloved. Jesus will never forsake us. He will never forget us. Jesus will never leave us!
 
No one is more dearly loved and blessed by God than we are. We may be lambs but we can walk with the boldness of lions. We can be victorious over our circumstances through faith in Jesus. The Lord’s hand is upon people who love and honor Jesus!
 
Focus on the promised blessing rather than the present hardship!
 
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The king shall have joy in your strength, O Lord; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Psalm 21:1 NKJV
 
David expresses his joy in the salvation of God and his confidence in the Lord’s strength!
 
It seems quite natural for David to have joy in the strength of God. It is not surprising that he rejoiced greatly in the salvation of the Lord. God saved David when his enemies wanted to kill him.
 
David rejoiced in the strength of the Lord long before he became the king of Israel. God gave him victory over wild animals when he was just a boy. David learned to trust God in his daily life at a young age.
 
David rejoiced greatly in God’s salvation during the time he ran and hid from Saul even though his salvation was not yet complete. He did it in faith while he awaited God’s deliverance from a powerful enemy!
 
I am rejoicing in the strength of the Lord today. I take great joy in my salvation. I have victory over people places and things that could steal my joy and faith in Jesus Christ!
 
I rejoice in the strength of the Lord because I am bold enough to trust Him in my daily life. I know Jesus is with me as I wander through the desert of trials tribulations and troubles. I trust Jesus to lead me and guide through life in a fallen world
 
My heart is sick and sad as I watch people I love suffer from illness or drowning in the cesspool of sin. That does not stop me from rejoicing in God’s salvation. I rejoice while I wait to see God’s salvation with my eyes!
 
Will you rejoice in the strength of the Lord? Will you express your joy in the salvation of God and your confidence in the Lord? God has already given you victory over people places and things that could steal away your joy and faith in Jesus Christ!
 
You may not yet see evidence of the deliverance from trials tribulations and troubles God has promised. Do not be weighed down by them. Rise above your circumstances through faith in Jesus. Trust God as you await His promised salvation!
 
God is not asking us to pretend we are not suffering heartache and pain. He is asking us to trust Him despite our feelings and emotions. Jesus wants us to trust Him to be strong for us when we are not.
 
Many of the things we see with our eyes hear with our ears and touch with our hands contradict the truth of God. Do not put your faith in any of them. They will all pass away. People who trust God in their daily lives will live on in eternity!
 
There is a reason God called David a man after His own heart. David fought through feelings, emotions, trials, troubles, failures and sins to maintain his faith in God. Will you? Will you trust Jesus to lead you and guide through life in a fallen world?
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May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; Psalm 20:1 NKJV
 
My blood pressure is dangerously high. I suffer from vertigo. Yesterday a friend came over to pray for me. He blessed me. I am confident God will answer his prayer.
 
God and I have history together. I have cried out to Him countless times. God defended and delivered me from distress and near destruction. That is not an exaggeration. It is a fact. There are faithful brothers and sisters praying for my family today.
 
I am praying for every person who reads this message. I want to bless you. I pray Jesus will reveal Himself to you in such a way you can express your confidence in God’s favor!
 
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Vs 7
 
Many of my friends died young. God protected me. It is not because I am better wiser or stronger. The Lord is not done with me yet. I am bold and confident. It is not because of who I am. It is because my trust is in the name of Jesus!
 
You can walk in great boldness and confidence. It makes no difference how wise or strong you are. True strength is humility before Jesus and faith in His mighty power!
 
Save, Lord! May the King answer when we call. Vs 9
 
I know God hears me. I know He will answer me. I am still waiting for God to answer some of my prayers. My wife and daughter still suffer health problems. My sons still wander in the land of sin. My faith does not waiver. Jesus saves. He answers when I call.
 
When you call out to God do it in faith. He hears you. He will give you a perfect answer at the perfect time. The greatest desires of your heart may not have been fulfilled yet. You may still be suffering through trials and hardship. Do not allow your faith to waiver.
 
Bless other people by praying for them. Tell other people about your confidence in God’s favor!
                                                               
I wrote those words four years ago. My health is much better. My wife still suffers. One of my sons is still lost in the land of unbelief.
 
Life is full of hardships and trials. God never disappoints. His love never fails. My heart is full of confidence in God’s favor because He answers with grace when I am in trouble!
 
Do not judge God by your circumstances. Do not let trials and hardship steal your joy. The true blessings of God are eternal. The sensual pleasure of this world will fade away.
 
Trust Jesus with everything. The Lord will take better care of your life than you can!
 
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