Three great men in Israel’s past are mentioned in this psalm: Moses, Aaron and Samuel. These three are reminders that the LORD is holy and just, forgiving, but also holding his own accountable for their wrongdoings.
LORD, we praise you for being all the GOD we will ever need.
Forgive us for even looking for more.
Thank you for answering the prayers of great leaders in the past.
Answer our prayers today. We put our trust in you.
In Isaiah’s day, the city of Jerusalem prided itself over its leaders: “the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms” (3:2-3). God would humble them by taking away those great leaders. Their women prided themselves because of their beauty and luxurious living. The Lord will take away “the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; the signet rings and nose rings; the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils” (3:18-23). He is making room for only one source of pride: the Branch of the LORD (Jesus Christ) and the fruit that the land will produce under him (4:2). That is the fruit of true righteousness.
LORD, may we pride ourselves only in Jesus Christ, and the fruit of his kingdom.
With earthquakes, tsunamis and wars and strife all around us, is it appropriate to make a joyful noise to the LORD? Yes, because of what he has done for this planet. He has been faithful to Israel and brought forth the Messiah as he promised. He has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations through that same Messiah.
LORD, forgive us for being short-sighted. We only see the pain, when you have already administered the cure.
Thank you for caring so much for us that you have revealed your righteousness and remembered your covenant.
I pray for my friends today, that no matter what personal pain they face — it will not keep them from rejoicing in Christ.
The nations know all about their gods. There is no mystery that cannot be explained by the specialist, for a price. But the God of Israel is shrouded in darkness and mystery. The nations can manipulate their gods with the right offering, or the right ritual. But righteousness and justice are the foundation of the God of Israel’s throne. He cannot be bought off. The nations play around with their gods of limited power and authority, but Israel’s God is most high over all the earth; he is exalted above all gods.
LORD, I praise you for your infinite power, righteousness and glory.
I confess that I often feel powerless — and I shouldn’t — because you are my God, and all power is yours.
I thank you for reminding me today that things are under control, because they are all under you.
I pray for my friends today who are overwhelmed by the circumstances of their lives. I pray that you give them each a reminder today that you are sovereign in their situations.
The prophet has good news and bad news. First, the good news. The light of the LORD will some day bring peace between the nations, ending the need for swords and spears. The prophet calls on God’s people to walk in that light (and that peace) today. But he also has bad news. Before the deliverance happens, there will be judgment, because the house of Jacob is full of things from the east: fortune-tellers, foreign allegiances, stuff, idols. All these things keep the children of Jacob from being faithful to their LORD.
LORD, help us to get rid of all the stuff in our lives that is keeping us from being faithful to you. Prepare us for your reign.
Psalm 96 The LORD is worthy of the worship of all the earth for what he alone has done. The other gods are worthless idols, but he has made the heavens (1-6). The LORD is worthy of the worship the families of the peoples because of his glory and strength (7-9). The LORD is worthy of the worship of all the nations because he reigns, and is coming to judge the earth (11-13).
LORD, I confess that my view of you is often too small. I see you as my personal savior when you are the creator-redeemer-judge of the universe.
Thank you for opening my eyes to your greatness.
I pray for my friends, that you give each of them a glimpse of your universal worth-ship today.
The Israelites are continuing their worship in the temple, but there is so much wickedness in their lives that the worship makes God sick. He threatens to come as a consuming fire and destroy them. Only a few survivors will be rescued because they repent and clean up their lives. Everybody else will be destroyed. God cannot tolerate unrighteousness among those who claim him as their father. It is time for his people to start acting like it.
LORD, may we — your people — get our lives sorted out before our worship makes you sick.
The Israelites heard God’s voice one day,and he said “keep going, I will sustain you.” But all their fear said “we have no water. “ Later, they heard his voice, and it said “take the land.” But their fear said “But there are giants there.” They went astray in their heart.
LORD, I confess that my fear has been getting in the way of my obeying your voice. I have hardened my heart. I have been failing the test. Forgive me, Father.
Thank you for being gracious and not condemning me. I wait on you for your deliverance.
I pray for my friends today, as they also have opportunity to listen to your voice, to obey — to keep going in the right direction. Give them loyal hearts.
There are some clear parallels between the life of Mordecai and his ancestor Joseph. Like Joseph, Mordecai begins as a mere servant in a foreign land. Joseph received special revelation through dreams; Mordecai overheard a secret. Both men engage in an act of rescue, which leads to the preservation of their people, and to their being appointed as second in command to the foreign king (10:3). Both men saw the danger before them, and dared to be part of the solution, no matter what it might cost.
LORD, make us rescuers.
The psalmist cries out for the God of vengeance to wipe out his enemies, who wantonly attack and destroy his people and claim that God does not hear or see them. God planted the ear. He can hear. He formed the eye. He can see. Knowing who God is can keep us from despairing when we are under attack.
LORD, I am in the wilderness again this morning, I cannot see my deliverance. But You hear my cry because you planted the ear; you see my need, because you formed the eye. Thank you for reminding me who you are. I will rest in you until my prayers are answered by you. I pray for all my friends who are also waiting. May they also know who you are as they look ahead in faith to your deliverance.
Psalm 99
Isaiah 3:1-4:6
Psalm 98
Psalm 97
Isaiah 2
Isaiah 1
Psalm 95
Esther 9-10
Psalm 94
