TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 119:1-88
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. - Psalm 25:4
TODAY IN THE WORD
Our conception of the law, as 21st-century people in the West, typically includes a notion of rules that regulate behavior. We concern ourselves with staying within the rules; for instance, if we're obeying the speed limit, we expect the police to leave us alone.

This view of the law might work when it comes to the rules of the road, but it's very misleading for understanding what the law means in the Bible. Although the Hebrew word Torah can refer to the law code given to Moses, Torah doesn't mean the same thing as our word “law.” Bible scholar William Dumbrell suggests that Torah means “direction for life within the framework of a presupposed relationship.” In other words, the Bible's view of the law focuses on how we can live life the way that God intended within the context of our relationship with Him. That's a whole lot more comprehensive—and a better motivation—than a set of “do's” and “dont's”! This focus on relationship highlights that obeying God's law flows from our knowing Him. It's only because we're saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus that we can obey His Word.

Psalm 119 is one long meditation on the goodness and perfection of God's law, also described as “commands,” “decrees,” and “precepts.” Certainly these words tell us what we should and shouldn't “do,” but, more importantly, they reveal the glorious nature of God and His perfect ways.

The psalmist was so inspired by seeing God's perfection through His Word that he wrote 22 stanzas, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. He starts out by showing that the way to really succeed in life is all about God's law (v. 1, 9-11). The last part of today's reading describes the hope that the psalmist has because of God's Word (v. 81). Now here's a “framework” for living!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As you read through today's passage, start a list of the framework for living that emerges from these eleven stanzas. For example, those who follow God's command will not be ashamed (v. 6), and their scorn and contempt will be removed (v. 22). God's Word strengthens (v. 28), delights (v. 35), comforts, renews life (v. 50), and preserves (v. 88). As you meditate on this passage and the beauty of God's law, praise Him for the life-giving gift that we find in His rich and deep Word!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 119:89-176
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. - Psalm 119:105
TODAY IN THE WORD
Trees have certain basic requirements that must be met for them to thrive. For example, trees need water and nourishment from the soil. Trees need adequate light. Trees need protection for their roots. When these needs are met, healthy trees grow and resist bugs and disease. People resemble trees in some ways. That's why a person who follows God's ways is like a thriving tree planted on a stream bank (Ps. 1:3).

Like trees, people also need nourishment, light, and protection—the very images that Psalm 119 uses to describe the benefits of God's Word. Yesterday we saw how God's Word nourishes and sustains us. Today, we find the psalmist waiting eagerly for God's Word to satisfy his thirst (v. 131). He smiles in delight at the sweetness of God's promises (v. 103). Like life-giving light, God's law gives insight and understanding so we can avoid harmful situations or attitudes that are found on the wrong path (v. 104).

Much of today's passage, however, concerns the protection that comes from God's Word. Clearly the psalmist was facing very serious trials and hurtful actions from others. Over and over, he affirms the preserving power of God's Word. If not for God's law, the psalmist would have perished (v. 92). Yet God's precepts and commands protect from those who do evil and from the entanglements of sin.

As a wisdom psalm, Psalm 119 shows us how to live the way that God intended. Like Psalms 1 and 37, this psalm often uses ideal language. Sometimes the psalmist implies that he has followed God's law perfectly (vv. 101-102). But this language is meant to express the psalmist's utter confidence in God's Word. Even though, he has strayed (v. 176), God's law is eternal. He has limits, but God's commands are boundless (v. 96). In this way, the psalmist invites us to share this same confidence in God's law and steadfast resolve to follow His Word to the end.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Yesterday we suggested making a list of the framework for life found in Psalm 119. Today we focused on the benefits that come from this framework. As you think through these benefits, you might consider imitating the psalmist and making a list that begins with each letter of the alphabet. You can also use this list of benefits in your prayer time as a way to thank God for the blessings of His way of life.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 104
The heavens declare the glory of God. - Psalm 19:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
For more than five years, producer Alastair Fothergill and his crew travelled to 62 countries, worked on 204 different locations, and spent $25 million filming the award-winning series “Planet Earth.” This eleven-episode series presents a journey around the world to highlight the rich bio-diversity found on our planet.

Although the series was intended to “celebrate the planet,” it's impossible to see these amazing images and not praise the One who created it all. Reading Psalm 104 has the same effect—after surveying creation, all that the psalmist can say is, “Praise the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord” (v. 35).

The psalmist uses beautiful, poetic language to describe God's work of creation. He starts by likening the first two days of creation to a great king clothed in a majestic robe, who spreads out his royal tent and rides in a cloud chariot. These images stress God's sovereignty and rule over creation. As the psalmist describes the third day of creation (vv. 5-9), he again draws upon the image of a king who orders everything into its rightful place. Perhaps to stress God's power over chaos, the psalmist says the God rebukes the waters not to transgress their boundary (v. 9). The center part of the psalm meditates upon the creation of the animal realm (vv. 10-18, 24-26).

This beautiful psalm not only considers what we see around us in creation, but it also praises what cannot be seen directly: that God orders, sustains, and rules every aspect of creation, which is the focus of verses 27 through 30. It's not only what God did when He created the universe, but it's also what He does every moment of every day to sustain and govern it.

With this in mind, it's worth considering how Colossians 1:16-17 links this to Jesus Christ: “All things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The final part of Psalm 104 (vv. 33-35) provides an important link to the wisdom psalms we've already studied. Considering how God has created all of life and how He rules over creation evokes praise and the desire to live a life pleasing to God. Thus, understanding ourselves in relation to our Creator God is an important way in which we find the right perspective for living. That's why the psalmist uses such strong language to express his hope that those who refuse to acknowledge the Creator God would vanish.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 105
Make known among the nations what he had done. - Psalm 105:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the popular song, “Wonderful World,” a love-struck young man croons, “Don't know much about history / Don't know much about biology . . . /But I do know that I love you / And I know that if you love me too / What a wonderful world this would be.”

Not knowing a lot about history might not matter for falling in love, but ignoring history is devastating for spiritual maturity! This is the point of Psalm 105. To make it easier to follow along, we've included references to the Old Testament passages that record the events the psalmist is pondering.

The history “lesson” begins with God's promise to Abraham (v. 6; see Gen. 12:1-3) and celebrates God's faithfulness to that promise and the covenant that He made with Abraham to confirm the promise (v. 10; see Genesis 17). The next part of the “lecture” concerns how God protected His people (vv. 12-15), probably reflecting back on Genesis 12 through 35. Then the psalmist considers God's sovereign hand in Joseph's life and how God used Joseph to preserve all of Jacob's sons (Genesis 37-50). Next, the psalm affirms the tremendous multiplication of God's people in Egypt and the miraculous way that He led them out of bondage there (vv. 24-41). These events are recorded in Exodus 1 through 17. Notice also how the Exodus event is linked back to the promise given to Abraham (v. 42).

The reason why God wants us to remember this history is stated at the very beginning of the psalm—so that we might sing praises to the Lord and glory in His holy name (vv. 2-3). Biblical history is more than just a bunch of places, names, and events, although these are all important! This history is about knowing the eternal purposes of the living God who stands behind all these places, names, and events! The same Lord God who directed Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Israel is now directing us—praise the Lord.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's psalm encourages us to “tell of all God's wonderful acts” (v. 2). This includes how the Lord has worked personally in your life, but it also involves knowing how God has acted throughout history. Unlike the song lyrics “Don't know much about history,” we can learn about the acts of our God. We'd like to recommend two books that can help: Unlock the Bible in 30 Days, by Colin Smith, available from Moody Press; and Reading the Bible with Heart and Mind, by Tremper Longman, available from NavPress.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 106
These things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. - 1 Corinthians 10:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
First Corinthians 10:1-5 contains an astonishing warning: “For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea . . . They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink . . . Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.” Paul is referring to the same events recorded in Psalm 106. His point is painful, but crucial—not everyone who experienced the miracles that we read about yesterday in Psalm 105 entered the Promised Land. Even though they crossed through the Red Sea, ate manna, and drank water that came out of a rock, they displeased God. That might sound harsh; yet, as we'll see, God's mercy and love is greater.

The psalmist starts out by praising God's everlasting love and summarizing the life lessons that he wants to impart in this psalm. These are essential starting points, because the rest of the psalm records Israel's sad history of unfaithfulness, and the psalmist makes it clear that reviewing a painful past is for the purpose of spiritual growth and worship.

Today's history lesson picks up where we left off yesterday, although now we are focusing on Israel's ungrateful response to God's miraculous leading from Egypt (vv. 6-12). Then begins a long section underscoring some of Israel's worst failures. This explains why the events listed here are not presented in the chronological order in which they are recorded in the Old Testament historical books. Instead, the psalmist is painting a depressing and dark picture of the nation's long history of ingratitude, idolatry, rebellion, and disbelief that eventually led to exile (v. 41).

In the darkest part of this grim canvas, however, we find something amazing: God's great love and mercy (vv. 44-45). This realization gives the psalmist confidence to cry out to God and once again to praise Him.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
It's easy to see why Psalm 105 and 106 are called “historical psalms.” As we've noted, this history provides essential examples for our own walk of faith. With this in mind, now might be a good time to sketch out your own personal history with God. Start by noting how He has faithfully led you. Then consider the times you rebelled against Him. Conclude by reflecting how the Lord has “pitied” you and shown you His great compassion. Let both your past victories and failures become examples as you press on in Christ.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalms 13; 42; 43
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. - Psalm 34:18
TODAY IN THE WORD
Following the death of his wife, C. S. Lewis wrote A Grief Observed, in which he honestly expressed how difficult it was to experience God's presence during this time, especially when God had seemed so near when life was happier: “Meanwhile, where is God? . . . [you] go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. You may as well turn away . . . There are no lights in the windows . . . It might as well be an empty house. Was it ever inhabited?”

David may have felt the same way when he wrote Psalm 13. We don't know the exact circumstances in which David felt such despair, but plenty of incidents are recorded in 1 Samuel through 1 Chronicles that could be possibilities. The four-time repetition of “how long” underscores the depth of his emotion. Next comes a gut-wrenching cry for God to hear David (vv. 3-4). Then, at last, we can almost hear David's deeps sigh as he affirms his trust in the Lord (vv. 5-6).

We find a similar contrast between despair and hope in Psalms 42 and 43, which probably were originally one psalm. Here we see a cycling back and forth between lament and praise. We start with the powerful image of a deer intensely looking for water and not giving up until it's found. The idea of tears as food only intensifies the imagery that the psalmist uses to express his desperation to be in God's presence. In Reflections on the Psalms, C. S. Lewis calls this intensity an “appetite for God.”

Yet despite this brief ray of hope, lament returns, sweeping over the psalmist like a wave (v. 5), only to be interrupted by the psalmist reminding himself to keep on trusting God. And so this cycle continues: deep despair followed by hope.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In all three of today's psalms, we find a mix of conflicting emotions, an apparent tangle of despair and trust. These are real expressions of real people experiencing real grief. As we read these psalms, we learn the language that expresses our own grief during extremely difficult times. And as we learn how to lament, we also learn how to put our hope in God and know that we will yet praise Him (Ps. 43:5). This is how the Psalms give a voice to our own emotions.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 77
In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. - Exodus 15:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
Annie Johnson Flint was born on Christmas Eve, 1866, in Vineland, New Jersey. Her numerous poems offer thoughtful reflections on Scripture passages and themes. Consider the following from “The Red Sea Place”: “Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life / Where, in spite of all you can do, / There is no way out, / There is no way back, / There is no other way but through?” Perhaps Annie Johnson Flint had Psalm 77 in mind when she wrote this poem.

We don't know the particular circumstances that inspired today's psalm, yet we find the same mix of lament and praise that we saw yesterday. The psalmist's intense language draws us into his anguish. We can almost see the hollow eyes of one who cannot sleep and for whom there are no easy words. This trial was great enough that even remembering God didn't immediately comfort the psalmist (v. 3), nor did the memory of past times of worship (v. 6). Such profound despair led Asaph to a series of doubting questions that touched on the unthinkable: could God have really forgotten him? Could the God of Israel actually forget His promises?

Surely this is “rock bottom”! Yet, it's just at this point that Asaph began to remember the Lords unfailing deeds. The single most important word in today's psalm is the word remember. It's the turning point of the entire psalm.

Like the author of Psalm 105, Asaph drew strength from one of God's greatest historical acts: the parting of the Red Sea during the Exodus. Although Asaph ended this psalm in the past tense—“you led your people” (v. 20)—it's clear that remembering what God had done encouraged Asaph about what God would do. As Bible scholar Willem VanGemeren writes, “The reflection on [God's] acts in the past is comforting to those who need Him in the present.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Are you currently in a place where the only direction is “through”? Then receive the instruction from today's psalm and remember the Lord's goodness and acts of deliverance in your own life. How did He call you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)? How has He led you in the past? When did you see His great power and mercy displayed? Write these events down and, as you remember them, ask yourself, “What god is as great as our God?” (v. 13).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 51
I have sinned against the Lord. - 2 Samuel 12:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
As King David listened to the prophet Nathan's parable, he grew angrier and angrier. How could that rich man, who had everything he could ever want and more, take away a poor man's prized lamb—just so that he could serve a meal to a traveler?! “The man who did this deserves to die,” thundered David (2 Sam. 12:5). Then Nathan looked intently at David and said, “You are the man!” All at once, David saw the horror of his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. All he could say was, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (For the entire story, see 2 Samuel 11:1-12:24.)

As the weight of David's sin fell upon him, he wrote Psalm 51. He began where confession must begin, with God's unfailing love and mercy. There's no defensiveness here, no desire to whitewash what had been done. Instead, we find the brutal honesty of a soul that knows the depth of its sin.

It's perhaps surprising that David said that he had sinned against God alone. After all, weren't others hurt (or killed) because of his actions? Yet David understood that his sin was ultimately a refusal to trust God. Hadn't the Lord given him everything he needed? But David wasn't satisfied, so he took what the Lord hadn't given to him, and in so doing, he confirmed his sinful human nature (v. 5). Instead of rebellion, the Lord wanted truth in the depths of David's soul.

This moment of brutal honesty led David to the road of recovery. Once he acknowledged that new life could only come from the Lord, the cleansing and restoration began. Apart from the renewing work of God, there was nothing that David could have done to have healed himself. Yet from this brokenness and restoration, the Lord used David to teach others what real worship is all about—broken and contrite hearts given freely to the Lord.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
David's resolve to teach others the lessons that he learned in the crucible of God's convicting presence is amazing. Some people would have tried to cover up their past and pretended to be a “good” person. But David knew that broken honesty was far more important than religious pretense. He knew that God's good purposes for Zion required genuine worship. Centuries later, David's raw vulnerability still speaks through Psalm 51 to teach transgressors God's ways and to turn sinners back to God (v. 13).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 139
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. - Jeremiah 1:5
TODAY IN THE WORD
Today it's common for expectant parents to proudly show family and friends the sonogram images of their unborn child. Although the grainy images can sometimes be hard to decipher, there's rarely any problem decoding the excitement on the faces of the parents! It wasn't all that long ago, however, that the idea of obtaining images of a living fetus was unthinkable. In about the 1950s, however, scientists began to learn that it would be possible to use the echo of high-frequency sound waves to “see” inside the human body. This data can then be represented visually, much to the delight of many expectant parents.

As medical technology advances, we're able both to know and to see so much more of the human body. All this gives added depth to the profound truths contained in today's psalm. Ironically, the one thing that was quite clear to David is often missed in our modern understanding of human anatomy, and that is how fantastically and lovingly God has made us. David's intimate relationship with his Lord God gave him insights that didn't require a sonogram or an X-ray.

This relational closeness is evident in the psalm's opening (vv. 1-6). Realizing that every aspect of his life was known to God was “too wonderful” for David. The psalm indicates that evil people were bent on destroying David when he wrote this psalm (vv. 19-22). Instead of paying attention to them, however, David focused on God's view of him.

The question “Where can I go from your Spirit?” doesn't mean that David was trying to flee God (v. 7). Quite the opposite! These questions, followed by all the “if” statements, affirmed to David that there was nowhere in all of creation where he could go and not experience God's protection and care!

As David pondered how God made him and the incomparability of God's thoughts, praise naturally flowed from him. With this perspective, David could trust God to deal with his problems.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today's psalm celebrates the miracle of human life. This month might be a good time to read the book, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, by Paul Brand, M.D., and well-known Christian writer Philip Yancey. As you reflect on all that went into making you, let David's words of praise in today's psalm become your own. This is also a good time to prayerfully ask the Spirit to show you how you can be a good steward of the body that God has given to you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 40
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. - Psalm 61:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
It happened in a flash—the kids were all playing outside, and then the phone rang. When Cissy McClure came back outside, just minutes later, her eighteen-month-old daughter had fallen down an eight-inch pipe and was crying for her . . . 22 feet below the ground's surface. For the next 58 hours, the world watched and waited, as rescue workers piped in fresh air and heat to “Baby Jessica” and worked feverishly to excavate the earth around the abandoned well. When she was finally pulled from the pipe, injured but alive, church bells rang and people celebrated.

The thought of being trapped in a narrow shaft, unable to climb out, is so terrifying that it naturally causes us to shudder. That's why this frightening image is so effective in capturing both the despair and then the relief that David expressed in today's psalm. Once again, we don't know the exact circumstances during which David wrote this psalm. Yet we do know that he experienced many life-threatening situations early in his life when he was forced to flee from King Saul. He also knew the deep despair that came from his own sin (v. 12). From both external and internal threats, David learned to trust the Lord, and today's psalm captures some of the lessons he learned.

The psalm starts out with an affirmation of God's deliverance (vv. 1-3). Elsewhere we have seen the repeated exhortation to wait, and today's psalm portrays the outcome for those who do indeed wait patiently on the Lord. The image of standing on a rock suggests either that God rescued David from a life-threatening situation or that He vindicated David from those who sought to harm him. Either way, this experience caused David to praise God and to proclaim Him to others.

This life-changing event also taught David that true worship meant giving himself completely to the Lord. The idea of “pierced ears” (v. 6) connotes a servant who is fully yielded and ready for his master's command.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Once again, we see David's understanding that a life pleasing to the Lord is one that is lived in complete honesty and submission. Such honesty gave David confidence to plead his case before God. Notice his boldness: “Do not withhold your mercy from me! . . . Do not delay!” We can learn from the voice of this authentic individual who knew himself and his God, and who lived transparently before the people of God (v. 10).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 23
I am the good shepherd. - John 10:11
TODAY IN THE WORD
“I recall quite clearly,” writes Philip Keller, “how in my first venture with sheep, the question of paying a price for my ewes was so terribly important. They belonged to me only by virtue of the fact that I paid hard cash for them. It was money earned by the blood and sweat and tears drawn from my own body during the desperate grinding years of the depression. And when I bought that first small flock, I was buying them literally with my own body which had been laid down with this day in mind.”

In his book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Keller goes on to describe how, because he had sacrificed so much to obtain these sheep, they felt like a part of him. What an amazing picture of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for us!

It's no wonder that Psalm 23 has been loved by believers for so long. With simple yet moving images, this psalm expresses the believer's confidence in God's tender care, both in this life and in the life to come. It's clear that David drew from his own years of shepherding to develop this image of the Lord's provision and protection. A good shepherd makes sure that the sheep have good pasture and clean water. With a rod, or club, he protects the sheep from predators and dangerous situations, and with a staff, he faithfully leads them.

In the last part of the psalm, however, the image suddenly changes from a shepherd to a generous host. This contrast invites us to consider how truly remarkable the picture of the Lord as a shepherd really is. The Lord God, the Creator and King of the entire universe, the One with all of creation at His disposal—this is the One who tenderly cares for those who trust Him. This is the One who humbly laid down His life for us.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Psalm 23 profoundly points to the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself used the shepherd image to describe His love and sacrifice for believers, His sheep. We suggest that you take some time this weekend to trace the connections between Psalm 23 and John 10. Make a list of the qualities of the shepherd in Psalm 23 and then look for those qualities in John 10. As you do so, ponder how your Good Shepherd meets your deepest needs as one of God's flock.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 25
Lead me in the way everlasting. - Psalm 139:24
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the past few years, global positioning systems (GPS) have become very popular. The latest trend, however, is toward personal navigation devices (PND). So consider yourself very up-to-date—Psalm 25 is your own PND, designed to give you the right direction for life. As we read this psalm, it's clear that David longed for his life to conform to God's ways. This desire was like an internal tracking device that kept David seeking the right path.

As the psalm opens, the fear of being put to shame is dominant (vv. 1-3). This language expressed David's confidence that submitting to the Lord would never disappoint. Those who don't trust God can fear such an outcome, but those who let God guide them will never be led in the wrong direction.

This conviction led David to pray confidently for God's guidance. Although David was likely seeking direction for a specific situation, notice that he asked that God would teach him His ways. In many respects, being grounded in God's ways are more important that receiving direction for a particular decision. God's ways include humility and conformity to His covenant. From the presentation of the Sinaitic covenant in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, we find that the “demands of the covenant” (v. 10) reflect God's perfect justice and righteousness. This covenant also reveals God's tremendous mercy and compassion. This reflection led David to conclude that the one who is forgiven and who fears the Lord is the one who receives the Lord's guidance (v. 12) and prosperity (v. 13). It was this realization that gave David direction and confidence in the midst of a great trial (v. 19).

This is the “direction” for life that's appropriate for any situation or choice that may confront us. David had come to realize that submitting to God's way was the reliable “system” for finding and going in the right direction. He also saw that integrity and uprightness would protect him from going the wrong way (v. 21).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Psalm 25:8-10 describes God and His ways as “good,” “upright,” “right,” “loving,” and “faithful.” Using a study Bible or Bible dictionary, try to gain a deeper understanding of these important descriptions. For example, “good” describes God's moral perfection, and “upright” indicates that He is completely just in all that He does. You could also look up “forgiveness” and “mercy,” two other essential attributes of God described in this psalm. With a concordance, look at other verses that also describe these “ways” of God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalms 90; 91
The Lord is upright; he is my Rock. - Psalm 92:15
TODAY IN THE WORD
Corrie ten Boom's story of persevering faith is a remarkable testimony of God's protection. As you may know, the ten Boom family were watchmakers in the Netherlands. When the Nazis invaded their country, the ten Boom family sheltered Jews in a secret room that they built in their house. Eventually the family was arrested. The last night they were together, Corrie's elderly father asked her brother to read Psalm 91. It was the last time that Corrie saw her father, who died ten days later. Eventually, Corrie and her sister Betsey were sent to Ravensbruck, where Betsey died. During this time, including months in solitary confinement, Corrie thought often about being in the “shelter of the Most High” (Ps. 91:1). She later wrote about her experiences in the best-selling book, The Hiding Place.

Psalm 90 is unique in that it is the only psalm attributed to Moses. So many circumstances in Moses' life could have prompted him to write this psalm, but we're not given an inscription specifying a particular event. After the opening praise (vv. 1-2), the psalm quickly moves to lament over the harsh reality that human existence is like “dust” (v. 3). Even though Methuselah lived for 969 years, that's still like a day from God's perspective. And God's wrath is fully justified, given human sin (vv. 7-10).

Moses' response to this sad truth was to pray for the wisdom to know how to number one's days. By doing so, human beings realize that they are limited, and that only God is infinite. This realization leads to a prayer for God's mercy (vv. 13-17).

Psalm 91 answers this prayer and uses powerful images to show the many ways that God protects frail humans who seek His shelter. They will be spared from hunters' traps and enemies' arrows; plagues will not touch them. Indeed, for those who make the Most High their dwelling (v. 9), even angels will guard their ways!
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Psalms 90 and 91 paint incredible pictures of God's protection using imagery from ancient hunting and warfare. A good study Bible or Bible handbook can help explain this imagery and make it come to life. It's important to keep in mind, however, that these psalms offer assurance that no ultimate harm can come to those who fear the Lord. Believers may be killed in wars or die from diseases, but, because of the Lord's love, He will rescue His children for the life to come and show them His salvation (Ps. 91:16).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalms 121; 123; 124; 134
From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. - Psalm 50:2
TODAY IN THE WORD
Bible scholar Elizabeth Achtemeier once wrote, “The human mind is a picture gallery, and we live by the images found in it.” With this in mind, picture a very bright star that shines brilliantly and is surrounded by others stars in a beautiful constellation. This is a helpful way to think about one of the most important words in the Old Testament, Zion. To be sure, Zion is a concrete reality, but it's also a word that has many other bright images and realities associated with it, such as Jerusalem, God's glorious kingdom, the royal Davidic king, the temple, and even the people of God. In many ways, this one word Zion crystallizes God's covenant blessings. The horror of the Exile also explains why Zion could be powerfully depicted as a grieving widow (Isa. 54:1-6).

This understanding of Zion is essential for today's psalms, which were likely sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. The “hills” to which the psalmist looks to in Psalm 121 are the hills upon which Jerusalem is located. As the psalmist looked up, he pondered God as his maker and his faithful guardian, and he finds the answer to his initial question (v. 1). What assurance to know that the One watching over Israel “will neither slumber nor sleep”!

The use of the plural, “our” and “us,” in Psalms 123 and 124 indicates the communal nature of these songs. Here the worshipers look to God on His throne in heaven and plead for mercy and protection during a time of great distress. The pictures of a slave and a maid in Psalm 123 underscore the pilgrims' complete dependence upon the Lord God. Psalm 124 invites the worshipers to recall God's faithfulness throughout their past history as a nation.

In a sense, Psalm 134 brings us back to where we started: worshiping and placing our trust in the Maker of the universe! Psalm 121 starts by looking up toward Zion, and Psalm 134 concludes with a benediction for God's blessing to come down from Zion.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The four psalms we looked at today are part of a larger collection usually called the “Songs of Ascents,” which includes Psalms 120-134. It's likely that these songs were sung during three annual festivals as worshipers “ascended” to Jerusalem and the temple. These short psalms are filled with praise, lament, thanksgiving, and hope. Take some time to read all fifteen of these beautiful songs, perhaps imagining yourself joining with a great procession of other believers drawing before the Lord Jesus Christ in worship!

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Psalm 8; 19
The heavens declare the glory of God. - Psalm 19:1
TODAY IN THE WORD
What many people remember about the Apollo 11 mission are the famous words uttered by Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969, when he became the first human to walk on the moon: “That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.”

Few people also realize that just 11 minutes into this historic space voyage, the crew took one of the most famous pictures of planet Earth. From 98,000 miles away, Earth seemed effortlessly suspended in an inky black expanse. The impact of this photo of the smallness of Earth against the vastness of space was tremendous. Today satellite imagery has only intensified the perception of Earth's comparative smallness in relation to the entire universe. This observation has led some people to conclude that human beings are relatively insignificant.

About three thousand years ago, however, another human looked at the vast array of stars and came to a different conclusion. In Psalm 8, David marveled that even little children know how to give glory to the Creator God, although the enemies of God refused to do so (v. 2).

Furthermore, it was incredible to David that, despite the vastness of creation, God had given human beings dominion over it (v. 6)!

Psalm 19 also extols the beauty of the night sky—the very stars sing of God's glory! Using poetic language similar to Psalm 104, David pictured the glory of a bridegroom and a champion to describe the sun's radiance (vv. 4-6). The immediate switch to the law (vv. 7-11) seems abrupt until we realize that both creation and God's Word reveal who God is. The created order reveals God in a general way, pointing people beyond themselves to the One who created everything. The law, however, reveals God's perfection and His specific purposes for humanity. As David pondered the purity of God's law, he was naturally led to pray that God would mercifully protect his mouth and heart that he might not sin.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Both Psalms 8 and 19 powerfully point to Jesus Christ. Psalm 8 is quoted in Hebrews 2 to show that, although Adam and Eve failed to exercise the dominion over creation that God commanded, Jesus Christ has achieved this perfect dominion. When He returns, we will finally see all of creation in perfect submission to the One who is crowned with glory and honor (Ps. 8:5; Heb. 2:8, 9). Additionally, the perfection of the law in Psalm 19 points to the One who fulfilled it completely (Matt. 5:17).