Walking Through the Psalms“Their idols are merely things of silver and gold, shaped by human hands.” – Psalm 115:4 (NLT)“Laying Down Our Idols” Idol worship was a common practice in the days of the psalmist. People would make ornate images out of wood, silver, or gold and decorate them with precious jewels. Then they would pray to them, create rituals to perform for them, and look to them in times...

Walking Through the Psalms“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.” – Psalm 115:1 (NLT)“We Fight the Battle, But HE Wins the War!” There’s a great story in Exodus 17. Israel is at war against the Amalekites. The young, brave general Joshua is leading the army into battle. While Joshua is leading the fight in the valley, Moses goes...

Walking Through the Psalms“When the Israelites escaped from Egypt—when the family of Jacob left that foreign land—the land of Judah became God’s sanctuary, and Israel became his kingdom. The Red Sea saw them coming and hurried out of their way! The water of the Jordan River turned away.” – Psalm 114:1-2 (NLT)“God Happens” I love how the psalmist describes God’s ability to get His people out of Egy...

Walking Through the Psalms“Who can be compared with the LORD our God, who is enthroned on high?” – Psalm 113:5 (NLT)“Jesus and AI” I saw a disturbing conversation this morning on the Today Show. They were discussing how AI is impacting faith and spirituality. Obviously, there has been much good that has been developed in the last several years in the way of Bible apps, apps for churches, and how t...

Walking Through the Psalms“Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom.” – Psalm 111:10 (NLT)“Wise Up!” One of our fatal flaws as human beings is believing we’re smarter than we really are. A great example of that was in a survey that San Diego State University did with its graduating seniors some years ago. They asked the question, “What do you believe is your greatest asset as you head out...

Walking Through the Psalms“He has paid a full ransom for his people. He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever. What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!” – Psalm 111:9 (NLT)“The Deal of a Lifetime!” There are unscrupulous car dealers that will let people buy cars that they know the customer can’t afford. Usually, they are customers who have bad credit and a track record of not being able to ...

Walking Through the Psalms“How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them.” – Psalm 111:2 (NLT)“God Is AMAZING!” Amazing. That’s the perfect word. God is simply “amazing.” Some time ago I was having lunch with a friend of mine, and we got talking about all of the incredible ways that God has worked. I was reminiscing with him about a prayer that I prayed some year...

Walking Through the Psalms“The Lord stands at your right hand to protect you. He will strike down many kings when his anger erupts.” – Psalm 110:5 (NLT)“God Can Strike Down Many Kings!” David’s confidence, as he went into battle, was not in his skill as a warrior or the army that stood behind him. The enemies David faced were often more numerous and better supplied and armored. But David knew some...

Walking Through the Psalms“Let them see that this is your doing, that you yourself have done it, LORD.” – Psalm 109:27 (NLT)“That Has to Be God” What in your life can only be explained by saying, “God did it”? Where is the evidence of His life-changing power? Where is the evidence of His redeeming grace? Where would someone say is the undeniable mark of God upon you? Those are the questions that I...

Walking Through the Psalms“For I am poor and needy, and my heart is full of pain.” – Psalm 109:22 (NLT)“The God of Our Broken Hearts” When I read this part of David’s prayer in Psalm 109, my mind flashed back to Genesis. Adam and Eve sinned, and God’s beautiful world that He made began to quickly become dark and ugly. Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden. Cain killed Abel. And as mankind began...

Walking Through the Psalms“But deal well with me, O Sovereign LORD, for the sake of your own reputation! Rescue me because you are so faithful and good.” – Psalm 109:21 (NLT)“Because of Who HE Is!” David was handpicked by God to be the king of Israel. He became the “standard” by which all other kings were measured. He was a passionate, unashamed worshipper who danced for God like nobody was watchi...

Walking Through the Psalms“I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them! They repay evil for good, and hatred for my love.” – Psalm 109:4-5 (NLT)“It’s Not About You. It’s About Them.” Several years ago, a homeless guy stopped at our church to ask for help. We had helped him before to get some food, and on this particular day, he wanted to know if he could ...

Walking Through the Psalms“With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.” – Psalm 108:13 (NLT)“With God’s Help” I want to give you some FANTASTIC news: Whatever it is that you are facing this week, you can overcome it! It doesn’t matter what it is. Look at the statement that David makes here. “We will do mighty things.” And David should know! This is the guy who took...

Walking Through the Psalms“Now rescue your beloved people. Answer and save us by your power.” – Psalm 108:6 (NLT)“Everything a Father Is Supposed to Do” About six years ago, a father by the name of Fred Pepperman gave his life to save his daughters. The Tennessee family was vacationing near Panama City, Florida, when their sixteen-year-old daughter got caught in a riptide. She yelled for help, and...

Walking Through the Psalms“My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!” – Psalm 108:1 (NLT)“Who Is YOUR Confidence In?” There was a great old story I heard years ago about a young man who was the guest preacher at a church. He was fresh out of seminary and was one of the top students in his class. As he stepped up to preach, he was brimming with confid...

Walking Through the Psalms“Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD.” – Psalm 107:43 (NLT)“Remember the Love” Next September, our country will be marking the 25th anniversary of the attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center that happened on September 11, 2001. My guess is that it’ll be a pretty big affair. If you think abo...

Walking Through the Psalms“He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death.” – Psalm 107:20 (NLT)“Sending God’s Healing Word Your Way!” One of my first hospital visits I ever made as a young pastor was with an elderly man dealing with some respiratory issues. When I asked him how he was doing, he said he was doing pretty good for a man who had only been given six months...

Walking Through the Psalms“LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains. – Psalm 107:13-14 (NLT)“My Troubles No Longer Have Me” I got an email a few years ago from a friend who was going through a horrible time. She has been battling with several cascading physical issues that sapped her st...

Walking Through the Psalms“Save us, O LORD our God!” – Psalm 106:47 (NLT)“A Call for Help” There was a sad and bizarre story in the news a few years ago about a woman who decided to go shopping…with SEVEN kids! That seems insane in and of itself. But rather than take them with her into the store, she left all seven in the car. They were ages 2-4! Two of the kids belonged to her, but the other five...

Walking Through the Psalms“Save us, O LORD our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you.” – Psalm 106:47 (NLT)“Don’t Fit In. Stand Out!” One of the great dangers of being a “chosen” people in a fallen world is that it becomes easier and easier to look and act like the “fallen” rather than the “chosen.” That’s why God frequently reminded ...