May 1st
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything...
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
¤ Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! Then, after that, he prayed for rain and down it poured. The grass turned green and the crops began to grow again.
¤ Jacob was alone in the camp and an angel of God came and wrestled with him until dawn. When the angel saw that he could not win the match, he struck Jacob's hip and knocked it out of joint at the socket. Then the angel said, "Let me go, for it is dawn."
But Jacob panted, "I will not let you go until you bless me."
"Your name will no longer be Jacob," the angel told him. "It is now Israel (meaning: one who struggles with God), because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."
¤ So now, come back to your God! Act on the principles of love and justice, and always live in confident dependence upon your God. ¤ Jesus said, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?"
¤ Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything He promised. And because of Abraham's faith, God declared him to be righteous.
¤ "Have faith in God. I assure that you can say to this mountain, 'May God lift you up and throw you into the sea', and your command will be obeyed. All that is required is that you truly believe and do not doubt in your heart... Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it... But when you are praying, first forgive anyone whom you might have anything against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you of your sins also."
Philippians 4:6, 7 James 5:17,18 Genesis 32:24-28 Hosea 12:3-6 John 11:40 Romans 4:20-22 Mark 11:22-25
May 2nd
Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me.
Fight against those who fight against me. Put on Your armor and take up Your shield. Lift up Your spear and javelin and block the way of my enemies. Let me hear You say, "I am your salvation!" Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor who seek after my life. Let those be turned back and brought to confusion who plot my hurt. Let them be like chaff in the wind, and let the Angel of the Lord chase them. Let their path be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the Lord pursue them. For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit. Let destruction come upon them unexpectedly, and let this net that they have hidden catch themselves; Into that very destruction let them fall.
My soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation. All of my bones shall say, "Lord, who is like You, delivering the poor from those who are to strong for them? Yes, the poor and needy from those who want to rob them." Fierce witnesses rise up; they ask me things I do not know. They reward me evil for good, to the sorrow of my soul. Yet, when they were ill, I grieved for them, I even fasted and prayed for them, but my prayers returned unanswered. I was sad, as though they were my friends and family, as if I were grieving for my own mother. But they are glad now that I am in trouble; they gleefully join together against me. I am attacked by people I don't even know; they hurl slander at me continually...
O Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. I will give You thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise You...
You know all about this, O Lord. Do not keep silent, O Lord. Do not be far from me. Stir up Yourself and awake to my vindication, to my cause, my God and my Lord. Declare me "not guilty," O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness, and let my enemies not laugh about me in my troubles. Let them not say in their hearts, "Look! We have what we wanted, we have swallowed him up! " May those who rejoice at my troubles be humiliated and disgraced. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor. But give great joy to those who have stood with me in my defense. Let them continually say, "Great is the Lord, who enjoys helping His servant." Then I will tell everyone of Your justice and goodness, and I will praise You all day long.
Psalm 35:1-15, 17, & 22-28
May 3rd
An Oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: there is no fear of God before his eyes...
For in his own eyes he flatters himself, too much to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and do good. Even on his bed he plots evil. He commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong.
Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the great deep. O Lord, You preserve both man and beast. How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They feast on the abundance of Your house; You give them drink from Your river of delights. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart. May the foot of pride not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. See how the evildoers lie fallen—they are thrown down, and shall not be able to rise!
¤ Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. ¤ Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted.
¤ Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness, but He is patient with you, not willing that any should perish, and that all should come to repentance. For the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, at which time the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be laid bare... But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to new heavens and a new earth, wherein only righteousness dwells.
Psalm 36 Psalm 37:1-4 Isaiah 49:13 2nd Peter 3:8-10, 13
May 4th
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture...
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the earth.
A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plot against the righteous, they snarl at them in defiance. But the Lord just laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous. The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. But the wicked will perish, and the enemies of the Lord, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish—vanish like smoke. The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously. Those the Lord blesses will inherit the earth, but those He curses will be cut off.
If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand. I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken, or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
Psalm 37:3-29
May 5th
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just...
The law of God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; but the Lord will not allow them to succeed, or let the godly be condemned when brought to trial. Wait for the Lord and keep His way; He will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off. The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in Him.
¤ "But, if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all My decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked?" declares the Sovereign Lord. "Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die...
Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' O house of Israel, is it not My ways which are fair, and your ways which are not fair? Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways," declares the Sovereign Lord. "Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone," declares the Sovereign Lord. "Repent and live!"
Psalm 37:30-40 Ezekiel 18:21-24 & 29-32
May 6th
O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, or discipline me in Your wrath...
For Your arrows have pierced me, and Your hand has come down upon me. Because of Your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden to heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.
All my longings lie open before You, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from You. My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception. I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, whose mouth cannot offer a reply... I wait for You, O Lord; You will answer, O Lord my God. For I said, "Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips." For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous. Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good. O Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.
¤ How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called the children of God! And the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. ¤ I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. And we can be confident that He will listen to us whenever we ask Him for anything in line with His will. And if we know He is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that He will give us what we ask for.
¤ And now, may the God of peace, who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with all you need for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.
Psalm 38 1st John 3:1 1st John 5:13-15 Hebrews 13:20, 21
May 7th
I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin...
I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence." But when I was silent and still, not even speaking of good things, my anguish increased. My thoughts grew hot within me and began to burn, igniting a fire of words: "Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days no longer than the width of my hand; the span of my years is nothing before You. Each man's life is but a breath. Man is a mere phantom, a moving shadow as he goes to and fro. He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.
But now, Lord, what do I look for? My only hope is in You! Save me from my rebellion; do not make me the scorn of fools. I am silent before You; I won't even open my mouth, for You are the one who has punished me. Remove Your scourge from me. I am overcome by the blow of Your hand. You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; their lives can be crushed like the life of a moth—human existence is as frail as a breath. Hear my prayer, O Lord. Listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with You as a guest, a stranger passing through, as all my ancestors were before me. Look away from me, that I may smile and laugh once again, before I depart and exist no more.
¤ I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and steadied me as I walked along. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not show confidence in the proud, or in those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us are too numerous to even count. Were I to speak and attempt to recite them, they would be too many to declare.
¤ Victory comes from You, O Lord. May Your blessings rest on Your people. ¤ In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream into it. Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths." The law will go out from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Psalm 39 Psalm 40:1-5 Psalm 3:8 Micah 4:1, 2
May 8th
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened...
Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require. Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—it is written about Me in the scroll. I desire to do Your will, O My God; Your law is within My heart." I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal My lips, as You know, O Lord. I do not hide Your righteousness in My heart; I speak of Your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal Your love and Your truth from the great assembly.
Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; may Your love and Your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see my way out. They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me; I have lost all my courage. Be pleased, O Lord, to save me. O Lord, come quickly to help me! May all who seek to take my life be put too shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame. But may all who search for You rejoice and be glad in You. May those who love Your salvation always say, "The Lord be exalted!" Yet I am poor and needy. May the Lord think of me. You are my helper and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay. ¤ Blessed are those who are kindhearted to the poor; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord will protect them and preserve their lives; He gives them prosperity and rescues them form their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain and discomfort.
¤ I long for the years gone by when God took care of me, when He lighted the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness. In my early years, the friendship of God was felt in my home. The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me. In those days my cows produced milk in abundance, and my olive groves poured out streams of olive oil...I thought, 'Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life. For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew'.
¤ And now, my heart is broken. Depression haunts my days. My weary nights are filled with pain as though something were relentlessly gnawing at my bones. With a strong hand, God grabs my garment. He grips me by the collar of my tunic. He has thrown me into the mud. I have become dust and ashes. I cry to you, O God, but You don't answer me... Surely no one would turn against the needy when they cry for help!
Psalm 40:6-17 Psalm 41:1-3 Job 29:2-6, 18, 19 Job 30:16-20, 24
May 9th
I said, "O Lord, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against You."
My enemies say of me in malice, "When will he die and his name perish?" Whenever one comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it abroad. All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, "A vile disease has beset him; he will never get up from the place where he lies." Even my close friend in whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
But You, O Lord, have mercy on me; raise me up, that I may repay them. I know that You are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. In my integrity You uphold me and set me in Your presence forever. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.
¤ While He was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.
¤ In those days Peter stood up among the believers and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as a guide for those who arrested Jesus—he was one of our number and shared this ministry. With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akledama, that is, Field of Blood. This was predicted in the book of Psalms, where it says, 'Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.' And again, 'Let his position be given to someone else.' So now we must choose another man to take Judas's place. It must be someone who has been with us all the time that we were with the Lord Jesus—from the time He was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us into heaven. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection."
Psalm 41:4-13 Luke 22:47-51 Acts 1:15-22
May 10th
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember You from the land of Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and breakers have swept over me. Through each day the Lord directs His unfailing love upon me, and through each night His song is with me—a prayer to the God who gives me life.
I say to God my Rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?" Why am I so discouraged, O my soul? Why is there so much sadness within me? Put your hope in God, O my soul, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. ¤ Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God's Royal Son, or He will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of your pursuits—for His anger can flare up in an instant. But what joy for all who find protection in Him!
¤ Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. But there is a problem—your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear..."The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem," says the Lord, "to buy back those in Jacob who have turned from their sins. And this is my covenant with them," says the Lord:
"My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children forever. I, the Lord, have spoken!"
¤ Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn... For surely, O Lord, You bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield. ¤ O, righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.
Psalm 42 Psalm 2:10-12 Isaiah 59:1, 2 & 20, 21 Psalm 5:8, 12 Psalm 7:9
May 11th
Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation...
Rescue me from deceitful and wicked men. You are God, my stronghold. Why have You rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send forth Your light and Your truth; let them guide me; let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell. Then I will go to the alter of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God. Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will yet praise Him—my Savior and my God!
¤ We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what You did in their days, in days long ago. With Your hand You drove out the nations and planted our fathers; You crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory. It was Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your face, for You loved them. You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. Through You we push back our enemies; through Your name we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but You give us victory over our enemies, You put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all the day long, and we will praise Your name forever.
But now You have rejected and humbled us; You no longer go out with our armies. You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. You sold Your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale. You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us. My disgrace is before me all day long, and my face is covered with shame at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge. All this happened to us, though we had not forgotten You or been false to Your covenant... For Your sake we face death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered... We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up and help us; redeem us because of your unfailing love.
¤ Answer me when I call to You, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer... Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him... Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord. ¤ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Psalm 43 Psalm 44:1-17, 22, 25, 26 Psalm 4:1, 3, 5 Psalm 51:17
May 12th
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble.
We will not fear, though the earthquakes come and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God Himself lives in that city; it cannot be destroyed. God will protect it at the break of day. The nations are in an uproar, and kingdoms crumble; He lifts His voice and the earth melts. The Lord almighty is here among us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see the glorious works of the Lord. See how he brings destruction upon the world. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, He burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
¤ Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom He loved. God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to Him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble just as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the whole earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.
¤ Oh Lord, our Lord, the majesty of Your name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and nursing infants to give You praise. They silence Your enemies who were seeking revenge. When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers—the moon and the stars You have set in place—what are mortals that You should think of us, mere humans that You should care for us? For You have made us a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned us with glory and honor; You have put us in charge of the works of Your hands, giving us authority over all things!
Psalm 46 Psalm 47 Psalm 8:1-6
May 13th
Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise.
The city of our God, His holy mountain, it is beautiful in its elevation, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King. God is in her strongholds; He has shown Himself to be her defender... O God, we meditate on Your unfailing love as we worship in Your Temple. As Your name deserves, O God, You will be praised to the ends of the earth. Your strong right hand is filled with victory.
¤ Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, both low and high, rich and poor alike: My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:
Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him—the ransom for life is costly, no payment is ever enough—that he should live on forever and not see decay. For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike also perish, and leave their wealth behind. The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves, but they leave their wealth to others.
But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers who approve their sayings. Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will be there shepherd. The upright will read over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But as for me, God will redeem my life from the grave; He will surely snatch me from the power of death. Selah
Do not be overawed when a wicked man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies. His splendor will not descend with him into the grave. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed—and men praise you when you prosper—he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
Psalm 48:1-3 & 9, 10 Psalm 49
May 14th
The Mighty One, the Lord God, has spoken; He has summoned all humanity from the rising of the sun until its going down!
From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. Our God approaches with the noise of thunder. Fire devours everything in His way, and a great storm rages around Him;
"Gather to Me My consecrated ones, who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice." And the heavens proclaim His righteousness, for God Himself is judge.
"Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God. I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are constantly before Me. I have no need of a bull from your stall, or of goats from your pens, for every animal is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills are Mine. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine. If I were hungry I would not mention it to you, for the world is Mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats which you sacrifice? No! I desire instead that you sacrifice offerings of thanksgiving to God, that you fulfill your vows to the Most High, and that you trust in Me in the day of trouble. I will then deliver you, and you will honor Me."
But to the wicked, God says: "What right have you to recite My laws, or take My covenant on your lips? You hate My instruction and cast My words behind you. When you see a thief, you join with him, and you throw in your lot with adulterers. You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son. While you have done these things I have kept silent, and you thought I was altogether like you. But I will now rebuke you and accuse you to your face. Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue: Those who offer sacrifices of thanksgiving honor Me, and they prepare the way for Me so that I may reveal to them the salvation of God."
¤ I will praise the name of God with a song, and I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. For this will please the Lord more than the sacrifices of animals. The humble shall see this and be glad.
Psalm 50 Psalm 69:30-32
May 15th
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love...
According to Your great compassion blot out the stain of my sins. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I recognize my shameful deeds—they haunt me day and night. Against You, and You alone, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right in what you say and Your judgement against me is just. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely You desire honesty from the heart, so that You can teach me to be wise in my inmost being. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again—let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out the stains of my guilt.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise...
¤ Everything exposed by the light becomes visible. That is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." ¤ And the Lord who created you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name, and you are Mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...You are precious and honored in My sight, and I love you...
I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from Me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are My witnesses that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am He. No one can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"
Psalm 51:1-12 Ephesians 5:14 Isaiah 43:1-4, 11-13
May 16th
Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man?
Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God? Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit. You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Selah You love to say things that harm others, O you deceitful tongue! Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin; He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living. The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying, "Here is the man who did not make God his stronghold, but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"
But I am like an olive tree, flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise You forever, O God, for what You have done. In Your name I will hope, for Your mercy is good. I will praise You in the presence of Your saints.
¤ The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on the entire human race, to see if there is even one with real understanding; one who seeks for God. But, everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Will the evildoers never learn—those who devour My people as men eat bread and who do not think of praying to God? There they were, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. But God will scatter the bones of your enemies, and you will put them to shame, for God has rejected them. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
¤ Ho! Everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters—even if you have no money! Come, buy and eat. Yes, come take your choice of wine and milk without money and without price! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen, and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul... Seek the Lord while He may be found, and call upon Him while He is near! Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways", declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours and My thoughts than your thoughts."
Psalm 52 Psalm 53 Isaiah 55:1, 2, 6-9
May 17th
Save me, O God, by Your name; vindicate me by Your might.
Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life—men without regard for God. Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in Your faithfulness destroy them. I will sacrifice a freewill offering to You; I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
¤ Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest—I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm."
¤ Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God the Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me. He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; God sends His love and His faithfulness. I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords... My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples. For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.
¤ Now, this is what the Lord says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by My name. You are Mine...This people I have formed for Myself. They shall declare My praise.
Psalm 54 Psalm 55:1-8 Psalm 57:1-4, 7-11 Isaiah 43:1, 21
May 18th
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer...
From the ends of the earth I call to You, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name. Add many years to the life of the king! May his years span the generations! May he reign under God's protection forever. Appoint Your unfailing love and faithfulness to watch over him. Then I will always sing praises to Your name as I fulfill my vows day after day.
¤ My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my Rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. There are so many enemies against one man—all of them trying to kill me. I am a leaning wall, a tottering fence; they fully intend to topple me from my lofty place. They take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
I wait quietly before God, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my Rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, where I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty Rock, my refuge, where no enemy can reach me. Trust in Him at all times, O people! Pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Lowly men are but a breath, and the greatest are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: That You, O God, are strong, and that You, O Lord, are merciful. Surely You will reward each person according to what he has done.
¤ All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.
¤ He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Psalm 61 Psalm 62 Proverbs 21:2-4 Micah 6:8
May 19th
O God, You are my God, earnestly I seek You...
My soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory. Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You. On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin. They will go down into the depths of the earth. They will die by the sword and become food for jackals.
¤ Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy. Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly and do not fear. They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about laying their snares; "Who will ever notice?" they ask. As they plot their crimes, they say, "We have devised a perfect plan!" Surely the human mind and heart of man are cunning.
But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be struck down. He will turn their own tongue against them and bring them to ruin, and all who see it happening will shake their heads in scorn. Then everyone will stand in awe and will proclaim the mighty works of God, realizing all the amazing things He does. The godly will rejoice in the Lord and find shelter in Him. And those who do what is right will praise Him!
¤ Praise awaits You, O God, in Zion; to You our vows will be fulfilled. O You who hear prayer, to You all men will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, You forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those You choose and bring near to live in Your courts! We are filled with the good things of Your house, of Your holy Temple. You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all people to the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas... From where the sun rises to where it sets, You inspire shouts of joy. ¤ Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship You.
Psalm 63 Psalm 64 Psalm 65:1-5, 8 Nehemiah 9:5, 6
May 20th
You formed the mountains by Your power, having armed Yourself with strength...
You stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades, You call forth songs of joy. You care for the land and water it; You enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide people with grain, for so You have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your carts overflow with abundance. The wilderness becomes a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they all shout for joy and sing.
¤ Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of His name; make His praise glorious! Say to God, "How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cringe before You. All the earth bows down to You; they sing praise to You, they sing praise to Your name." Come and see what God has done, how awesome are His works in man's behalf! He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot—come, let us rejoice in Him. He rules forever by His power, His eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against Him. Let the whole world bless our God and sing aloud His praises. Our lives are in His hands, and He keeps our feet from stumbling...
Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me. I cried out to Him with my mouth; His praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who did not ignore my prayer and did not withdraw His unfailing love from me!
¤ Whoever obeys His command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure for doing what is right. For there is a proper time and a proper way for everything, even though people's troubles lie heavily upon them. Indeed, how can people avoid what they don't know is going to happen? No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death. And no one is discharged in time of war, so wickedness will certainly not rescue those who have practiced it... Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.
Psalm 65:6-13 Psalm 66:1-8, 16-20 Ecclesiastes 8:5-8, 12, 13
May 21st
The Lord announced the word, and great was the host of those who proclaimed it...
The mountains of Bashan are majestic mountains; rugged are the mountains of Bashan. Why do you gaze in envy, O mountains of many peaks, at the mountain where God has chosen to reign, where the Lord Himself will dwell forever? The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands; The Lord has come from Sinai into His sanctuary. When You ascended on high, You led captives in your train; You received gifts from the people, even from the rebellious—now You, O Lord God, will live among us. Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
Surely God will crush the heads of His enemies, the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins. The Lord says, "I will bring them from Bashan; I will bring them from the depths of the sea, that you, My people, may plunge your feet in the blood of your foes, while the tongues of your dogs have their share."
Your procession has come into view, O God, the procession of my God and King as He goes into the sanctuary. In front are the singers, after them the musicians, and with them are the maidens playing tambourines. Praise God in the great congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel. There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them. Then comes the great throng of Judah's princes, and there also are the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.
Summon Your power, O God; show us Your strength, O God, as You have done before. Because of Your Temple at Jerusalem, the kings of the earth will bring You gifts. Rebuke these enemy nations—these beasts among the reeds, this herd of bulls among the weaker calves. Humble those who demand tribute from us. Scatter the nations who delight in war. Let Egypt come with gifts of precious metals. Let Ethiopia bow in submission to God. Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth. Sing praises to the Lord. Sing to the One who rides across the ancient heavens, His mighty voice thundering from the sky. Tell everyone about God's power. His majesty shines down on Israel; His strength is mighty in the heavens. God is awesome in His sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise be to God!
Psalm 68:11, 15-35
May 22nd
Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck...
I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out from calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from You. May those who hope in You not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the Lord Almighty; may those who seek You not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel. For I endure scorn for Your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons. Passion for Your house burns within me, and the insults of those who insult You fall upon me...
But I keep right on praying to You, O Lord. In the time of Your favor; in Your great love, O God, answer me with Your salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide Your face from Your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes. You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before You. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless. I looked for sympathy but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. Pour out Your wrath upon them; let Your fierce anger overtake them. May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. For they persecute those You wound, and scoff about the pain of those You have hurt. Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in Your salvation. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. I am in pain and distress; may Your salvation, O God, protect me. Then I will praise God's name with singing, and I will honor Him with thanksgiving...
The Lord hears the needy and does not despise His captive people. Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and all that move in them, for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; The children of His servants will inherit it, and those who love His name will dwell there.
¤ Make haste, O God to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord... Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!"
Psalm 69:1-9, 13-30, 33-36 Psalm 70:1, 4
May 23rd
In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame...
Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn Your ear to me and save me. Be my rock and my refuge, to which I can always go. Give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men. For You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on You; You brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise You. I have become a wonder to many, because You are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with Your praise, declaring Your splendor all the day long.
Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together. They say, "God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him." Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me. May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace. But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone.
Since my youth, O God, You have taught me, and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds. Now that I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all those who are to come. Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, You who have done such great things! Who, O God, is like You? Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth You will bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You—I, whom You have redeemed. My tongue will tell of Your righteousness all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and humiliated.
¤ I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread... Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
Psalm 71 Psalm 37:25, 27-29
May 24th
Endow the King with Your justice, O God, the royal Son with Your righteousness.
He will judge Your people in righteousness, Your afflicted ones with justice. The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy. He will crush the oppressor. He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. He will be like the rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In His days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound until the moon is no more. He will rule from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth. The desert tribes will bow before Him and His enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to Him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present Him gifts. All kings will bow down to Him and all nations will serve Him.
For He will deliver the needy who cry out, and the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the oppressed, and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in His sight. Long may He live! May gold from Sheba be given Him. May people ever pray for Him and bless Him all day long. Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. May His name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through Him, and they will call Him blessed. Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.
¤ "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to acclaim that the time of the Lord's favor has come." Then Jesus rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. He then said to them, "Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
All spoke well of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked... All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power He gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" And the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding area.
Psalm 72 Luke 4:18-22, 36
May 25th
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, "How can God know? Is the Most High even aware of what is happening?"
This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth. Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and kept myself from doing wrong? All I get is trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.— But if I had really spoken this way, I would have been a traitor to Your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then one day I went into Your sanctuary, O God, and I thought about the destiny of the wicked. Truly you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, swept away by terrors. Their present life is only a dream that is gone when they awake. When You arise, O Lord, you will make them vanish from this life.
Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. I was senseless and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to You. Yet, I still belong to You; You are holding my right hand. You guide me with Your counsel, and afterward You will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever. Those who are far from You will perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will speak of all Your wonders. ¤ For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.
¤ Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of My sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. "Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Psalm 73 Exodus 20:11 Isaiah 1:16-20
May 26th
Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture?
Remember the people You purchased of old, the tribe of Your inheritance, whom You redeemed—Mount Zion, where You dwelt. Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary. Your foes roared in the place where You met with us; they set up their standards as signs. They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. They burned Your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of Your name. They said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!" They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land. We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.
How long will the enemy mock you, O God? Will the foe revile Your name forever? Why do You hold back Your hand, Your right hand? Take it from the folds of Your garment and destroy them! But You, O God are my King from of old; You bring salvation upon the earth. It was You who split open the sea by Your power; You broke the heads of the monster in the waters. It was You who crushed the heads of Leviathan and gave him as food to the creatures of the desert. It was You who opened up springs and streams; You dried up the ever flowing rivers. The day is Yours, and Yours also the night; You established the sun and moon. It was You who set all the boundaries of the earth; You made both summer and winter.
Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O Lord, how foolish people have reviled Your name. Do not hand over the life of Your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of Your afflicted people forever. Have regard for Your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land. Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise Your name. Rise up, O God, and defend Your cause; remember how fools mock You all day long. Do not ignore the clamor of Your adversaries, the uproar of Your enemies, which rise continually.
¤ Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear! But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear... Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, He was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so His own arm worked salvation for Him... "The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the Lord.
Psalm 74 Isaiah 59:1, 2, 15, 16, 20
May 27th
I cried out to the Lord for help; I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered You, O God, and I groaned; I thought at length, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night. My heart complained and my spirit inquired: "Will the Lord reject forever? Will He never show His favor again? Has His unfailing love vanished forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has He in anger withheld His compassion?"
Then I thought, "This is my anguish, but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the deeds of the Lord; Yes I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples. With Your mighty arm You redeemed Your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
The waters saw You, O God, the waters saw You and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, Your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, though Your footprints were not seen. You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
¤ My son, do not forget My teaching, but keep My commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.
Psalm 77 Proverbs 3:1-6
May 28th
O My people, hear My teaching; listen to the words of My mouth...
I will open My mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old—what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which He commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds, but would keep His commands. They would not be like their forefathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him.
The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle; they did not keep God's covenant and refused to live by His law. They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them. He did miracles in the sight of their fathers in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan. He divided the sea and let them through; He made the water stand firm like a wall. He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. He split the rocks in the desert and gave them water as abundant as the seas; He brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.
But they continued to sin against Him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God, saying, "Can God spread a table in the desert? When He struck the rock, water gushed out, and streams flowed abundantly. But can He also give us food? Can He supply meat for His people? When the Lord heard them, He was very angry; His fire broke out against Jacob, and His wrath rose against Israel, for they did not believe in God or trust in His deliverance.
¤ You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide open for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
Psalm 78:1-22 Matthew 7:13-17
May 29th
He gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens...
He rained down manna for the people to eat; He gave them the grain of heaven. Men ate the bread of angels. He sent them all the food they could eat. He let loose the east wind from the heavens and led forth the south wind by His power. He rained meat down on them like dust, flying birds like sand on the seashore. He made them come down inside their camp, all around their tents. They ate till they had more than enough, for He had given them what they craved. But before they turned from the food they craved, even while it was still in their mouths, God's anger rose against them; He put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel. In spite of all this, they kept on sinning.
In spite of His wonders, they did not believe. So He ended their days in futility, and their years in terror. Whenever God slew them, they would seek Him; they eagerly turned to Him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter Him with their mouths, lying to Him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to Him, and they were not faithful to His covenant. Yet, He was merciful; He forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time He restrained His anger and did not stir up His full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.
How often they rebelled against Him in the desert and grieved Him in the wasteland! Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power—the day He redeemed them from the oppressor, the day He displayed His miraculous signs in Egypt, His wonders in the region of Zoan. He turned their rivers to blood; they could not drink from their streams. He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them. He gave their crops to the grasshopper, their produce to the locust. He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamore-figs with sleet. He gave over their cattle to the hail, their livestock to bolts of lightning...
¤ We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. The message of God delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience. What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself, and confirmed by those who heard Him?
Psalm 78:23-48 Hebrews 2:1-3
May 30th
He unleashed against them His hot anger, His wrath, indignation and hostility—a band of destroying angels.
He prepared a path for His anger; He did not spare them from death but gave them over to the plague. He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt, the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham. But He brought His people out like a flock; He led them like sheep through the desert. He guided them safely, so they were unafraid; but the sea engulfed their enemies. Thus He brought them to the border of His holy land, to the hill country His right hand had taken. He drove out nations before them and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance; He settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.
But they put God to the test and rebelled against the Most High; they did not keep His statutes. Like their fathers they were disloyal and faithless, as unreliable as a faulty bow. They angered Him with their high places; they aroused His jealousy with their idols. When God heard them, He was very angry; He rejected Israel completely. He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had set up among men. He sent the ark of His might into captivity, His splendor into the hands of the enemy. He gave His people over to the sword, and their widows could not weep.
Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty man who shouts because of wine. He bent the backs of His enemies; He put them to everlasting shame. Then He rejected the tents of Joseph, He did not choose the tribe of Ephraim; but He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which He loved. He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He established forever. He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from tending the sheep He brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob His people, of Israel His inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.
¤ God raised up David for them as king, and said, "David, son of Jesse, is a man after My own heart, for he will do everything I want him to." And it is one of king David's descendants, Jesus, who according to the promise, is God's Savior of Israel... We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers He has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: "You are My son; today I have become Your Father." ...Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins in proclaimed to you. Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything they could not be justified from by the law of Moses.
Psalm 78:49-72 Acts 13:22, 23, 32, 33, 38, 39
May 31st
Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre. Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast; this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. He established it as a statute for Joseph when He went out against Egypt, where we heard a language we did not understand. He said, "I removed his shoulder from the burden; his hands were freed from the baskets. You called in trouble, and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! There shall be no foreign god among you; nor shall you worship any foreign god. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.
But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels. Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries. The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him, but their fate would endure forever. He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; and with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you."
¤ "Woe to the rebellious children," says the Lord, "Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, heaping sin upon sin... And because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression and depended upon deceit, this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. ...In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it."
¤ Oh, do not hold us guilty for our former sins! Let Your tenderhearted mercies quickly meet our needs, for we are brought low to the dust. Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the honor of Your name. ¤ Strengthen the people You love, the people of Your choice. Then we will never forsake You again. Revive us so that we may call on Your name once more. Turn us again to Yourself, O Lord God Almighty. Make Your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
Psalm 81 Isaiah 30:1, 12, 13, 15 Psalm 79:8, 9 Psalm 80:17-19
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