surrounded by lions

Posted on April 23, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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surrounded by lions

Psalm 57:4 I am surrounded by lions; I lie down among devouring lions – people whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

surrounded by lions

It’s hard to sleep when you feel like there are dangerous predators all around you, waiting for a chance to pounce. You feel the need for God during such times. We always need him, but we are not always as aware of that need.

Thank you Lord, for those times of danger that draw us back to a realization of our dependence upon you.

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man-cave

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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Psalm 57:1-3 (JDV)

man-cave

Psalm 57:1 Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in you. I will seek refuge in the shadow of your wings until danger passes.
Psalm 57:2 I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
Psalm 57:3 He reaches down from the sky and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me. Selah God sends his covenant faithfulness and truth.

man-cave

David’s man-cave was an actual cave, but he didn’t hide in it for his entertainment. He was seeking refuge from the king, who wanted him dead. As he does so, it just so happens that king Saul himself would enter that cave. David learned that a man-cave is not deep enough to hide from your troubles, because they will find you there. But he also learned that God can be your refuge no matter where you are.

Lord, be our refuge. We will rest in your shadow.

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obligated

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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obligated

Psalm 56:12-13 (JDV)

Psalm 56:12 I am obligated by vows to you, God; I will make my thank offerings to you.
Psalm 56:13 You see, you rescued me from death, my own feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life.

obligated

The Christian feels the obligation to worship out of gratitude for the rescue. God accomplished our rescue from the penalty of death that we deserve. Our rescue sets our feet back on the right path, a path of walking before God. We are under this obligation not in order to be rescued, because neither our worship nor our walk can accomplish that. No, we are obligated to worship and walk in his light because he has rescued us by his grace.

Lord, thank you for the grace by which we stand, walk and worship.

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praising God’s word

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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praising God’s word

Psalm 56:10-11 (JDV)

Psalm 56:10 In God, whose word I praise, in Yahveh, whose word I praise,
Psalm 56:11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere humans do to me?

praising God’s word

The reason this psalmist could face his fears and overcome them is that he had confidence in God’s word. He praised God, and he also praised God’s word.

Friend, what is your reaction to that book? Do you praise God’s word? Your respect and love for the Bible will show when you face the challenges of life.

Lord, we praise your word, and put our trust in you.

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bottle and book

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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bottle and book

Psalm 56:8-9 (JDV)

Psalm 56:8 You yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
Psalm 56:9 Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me.

bottle and book

Do you ever feel like no one actually cares about the troubles you feel? Are you tired of being ignored? Sometimes I feel like that. When I walk into a crowded room, and no one even acknowledges my existence, it’s hard to shake something like that off.

This psalm talks about God having a bottle into which goes all the tears — a book that records them. God cares. He can take care of us, because he knows and cares about what we are experiencing.

Lord, I sometimes don’t feel it, but I know you’re there, and I know you care.

 

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uncensored prayers

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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uncensored prayers

Psalm 56:5-7 (JDV)

Psalm 56:5 They twist my words all day long; all their thoughts against me are evil.
Psalm 56:6 They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps while they wait to cut my throat.
Psalm 56:7 Will they be delivered from their trouble? God, bring down the nations in wrath.

uncensored prayers

Now, David, that does not sound like a very Christian prayer. You are supposed to love your enemies.

But I have learned something about prayer by listening to my grandchildren, and some of my friends who do not seem to have a regulator for their mouths: honesty is refreshing. When my sky Father is listening in his confessional, he does not want me to censor my prayers. Belt them out and blurt them out. He wants my prayers to be brutally honest.

Father, here’s what I’ve got. Here’s what I feel.

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when I am, I will not be

Posted on April 17, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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when I am, I will not be

Psalm 56:3-4 (JDV)

Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.
Psalm 56:4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mere meat do to me?

when I am, I will not be

David admits that he gets afraid, but turns to God and chooses to trust him to tame that fear. He promises not to be afraid. The enemy that threatens him is still there, but he now sees that enemy as a mere chunk of meat. There’s nothing to fear there. God is my protector. His word I praise, and in him I trust. It is more than a logo on a coin. It is my reality because I have made it so.

Lord, in you we trust. We will not fear.

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stomped on

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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stomped on

Psalm 56:1-2 (JDV)

Psalm 56:1 Be gracious to me, God, because a man is trampling me; he fights and oppresses me all day long.
Psalm 56:2 My adversaries trample me all day, because many arrogantly fight against me.

stomped on

As I read scripture, I don’t always feel the way the author feels, but today I feel like David did. I feel like I am being stomped on. I just want to share that with you just in case there is anyone else out there who feels that way. God’s message of love and his listening ear is not for those who are riding high all the time, with no cares or concerns. He is there for us too.

Lord, help us. We are being stomped on. Come to our aid, and rescue us!

 

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praying out

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Jefferson Vann
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praying out

Psalm 55:22-23 (JDV)

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on Yahveh, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
Psalm 55:23 God, you will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and treachery will not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.

praying out

David’s burden was someone who wanted him dead. But his confidence was in God. God could reverse their plans and send those conspirators to the pit of destruction instead.

What is your burden today? God is big enough to reverse your circumstances, and make you victorious. But he does not need your help. Give up your plans for revenge and let God show himself faithful. Pray your way out of that mess.

Lord, we choose to pray our way out. We will trust in you.

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smooth swords

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

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Psalm 55:20-21 (JDV)

Psalm 55:20 My friend acts violently against those at peace with him; he violates his covenant.
Psalm 55:21 His buttery words are smooth, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, but they are drawn swords.

David describes his betraying “friend” as someone who had war in his heart, but pretended to be at peace. He spoke smooth words, softer than oil, but they were really drawn swords, intending David’s death.

I hope you never feel betrayal like that, but you might. It would do you well to follow David’s example and take the pain and sorrow you feel to God. He is the only one who can counter an attack with smooth swords.

Lord, give us the wisdom to respond to betrayal by coming to you for justice.

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