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The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 30:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. ⁶ Don’t add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 132:7 (HCSB)
Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool.

My observation:

In this Psalm we get a sense of the joy that it is for the people of God to travel to the dwelling place of God for the purpose of worship. Notice in our focal verse the sense of willingness, in the words, “let us go”, and in the sense of celebration, “let us worship”.

Notice the preparation they made for worship. They called upon the name of the Lord. Prayer is still the best preparation for worship.

Psalm 132:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Lord, remember David and all the hardships he endured, ² and how he swore an oath to the Lord, making a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

1 Chronicles 28:2 (HCSB)
Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the Lord’s covenant and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build,

The leaders of the people of God and the people of God may face many disappointments and hardships in life. However, one thing remains constant. You can always count on God being faithful. You can always count on God remembering His people. Your enemies may oppose you, your friends may forget you, but the Lord will never forsake you.

Now that should be a reason for you to join with God’s people and say together with them the words of our focal verse.

Psalm 132:7 (HCSB)
Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that I can agree that you are a loving and faithful God.

Psalm 98:3 (HCSB)
He has remembered His love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen our God’s victory.

Father, I praise and thank you that I know, by faith and experience, that the Lord remembers His people because you have not forgotten to have mercy upon me.

My song:

He Will Remember Me (Click on link below to watch and listen to video of this hymn):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrCWn8uGEsA

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:23 (HCSB)
A person’s pride will humble him, but a humble spirit will gain honor.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 131:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I do not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me. ² Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself like a little weaned child with its mother; I am like a little child. ³ Israel, put your hope in the Lord, both now and forever.

My observation:

In my bible the theme listed for this Psalm by David is, “I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul”. What a wonderful state of mind for the worshipper as he or she enters into the presence of holy God. The proud heart and haughty eyes are out of place in the presence of God.

Then David goes on to say that when he is in the presence of God he does not get involved with things too great or too difficult for me. There are some things that are beyond the capabilities of mere human power to understand.

Deuteronomy 29:29 (HCSB)
The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.

I love the picture of David’s description of his life lived out in the presence and in the strength of the Lord his God.

Psalm 131:2 (MSG)
I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray for the grace and faith to be able to have a trusting heart and willing heart that is obedient to you and your word.

Father, I long for the calmness and quietness that comes from the weaning of things from my life that enables me to grow into the person that you have purposed me to be.

Lord, I surrender my will to Thy will.

My song:

I Am Not Skilled to Understand (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/346

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 28:9 (HCSB)
Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law— even his prayer is detestable.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 130:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ Out of the depths I call to You, Yahweh! ² Lord, listen to my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my cry for help. ³ Yahweh, if You considered sins, Lord, who could stand?

My observation:

Having an effective prayer life is one of the most potent resources you can have in this pilgrimage through this world. What a privilege we have been granted by the Sovereign and almighty God to be able to enter into His presence anytime and from anywhere. When you get an invitation like the Lord offers you, it is one that you should not hesitate to take Him up on.

Jeremiah 33:3 (HCSB)
Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.

No matter how far you have strayed from God, there is always a door open for you to come back to the one who made you, and the one who paid the price to redeem you. The character of God is that He loves sinners, and sent His Son to die for them.

When we enter the presence of God we are standing on holy ground. When the bible speaks of His holiness, unlike any other of His character traits it refers to Him as, “Holy, Holy, Holy”. Notice what the Psalmist said in verse three.

Psalm 130:3 (HCSB)
Yahweh, if You considered sins, Lord, who could stand?

It is good for us to remember that when we enter the presence of God that we are in the presence of one who is holy and righteous in all His ways. My first thought is wow, and right after that is woe is me.

John 8:3-4 (HCSB)
³ Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center. ⁴ “Teacher,” they said to Him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery.

John 8:10-11 (HCSB)
¹⁰ When Jesus stood up, He said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” ¹¹ “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”

The woman was not alone then and she is not alone today. I stand before God as one who has been caught and forgiven. The bible says there is no distinction; we are all in the same boat.

Romans 3:22-23 (HCSB)
²² —that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. ²³ For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

My prayer:

Father, I thank you that when I come into your presence there is plenteous mercy and mercy suits my case.

My song:

I Will Sing of My Redeemer (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_I_Will_Sing_of_My_Redeemer.html

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 27:6 (HCSB)
The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.

Proverbs 27:12 (HCSB)
A sensible person sees danger and takes cover; the inexperienced keep going and are punished.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 129:1-8 (HCSB)
¹ Since my youth they have often attacked me— let Israel say— ² Since my youth they have often attacked me, but they have not prevailed against me. ³ Plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long. ⁴ The Lord is righteous; He has cut the ropes of the wicked. ⁵ Let all who hate Zion be driven back in disgrace. ⁶ Let them be like grass on the rooftops, which withers before it grows up ⁷ and can’t even fill the hands of the reaper or the arms of the one who binds sheaves. ⁸ Then none who pass by will say, “May the Lord’s blessing be on you.” We bless you in the name of Yahweh.

My observation:

One of the abiding truths of scripture is that God provides, protects, and cares for his people. As one of the Songs of Ascents, this Psalm is a song of the community of pilgrims as they made their journey up to Jerusalem to the place of worship.

This Psalm is a reminder to never forget where the Lord has brought you from. When I look back over my life I see the handprints and the footprints of God everywhere.

There is also within this Psalm an expression of the continuing need for the Lord in the remaining journey of the pilgrim.

God’s provisions, protections and care should cause the community of God’s people to never forget their need for the Lord. We can count on the Lord always being there for his people. Can he count on me to always be there for him?

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful for the confidence I can have in the God who provides for his people.

Father God, it matters not the size of the foes that your people face, the one that is for us is always greater than the foe that is against us.

My song:

In the Church of Jesus there is Love for You (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/1278

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 26:12 (HCSB)
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 128:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ How happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways! ² You will surely eat what your hands have worked for. You will be happy, and it will go well for you. ³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house, your sons, like young olive trees around your table. ⁴ In this very way the man who fears the Lord will be blessed. ⁵ May the Lord bless you from Zion, so that you will see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life ⁶ and will see your children’s children! Peace be with Israel.

My observation:

This Psalm picks up where the previous Psalm ended. The focus is on the quality of blessings that surround the family of God. That is why today you can hear it said among the people of God regardless of their individual circumstances that “we are blessed”.

Notice that the blessings of God are showered upon the people of God because their character and their conduct.

The fear of the Lord leads us to trust in the Lord, and to walk in his ways. This is truly the best way to live in this world, and the only way to make it to living eternally in the Father’s home.

Psalm 1:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! ² Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. ³ He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so happy and blessed to be a part of the family of God. Lord, I pray for the grace and the strength to have a closer walk with you.

Father God, thank you for being the rock upon which I can build my life, and know that I can survive and overcome any obstacle I encounter along the journey to my heavenly home.

My song:

O for a Closer Walk with God (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_O_For_A_Closer_Walk.html

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:17-18 (HCSB)
¹⁷ Don’t let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord. ¹⁸ For then you will have a future, and your hope will never fade.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 127:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. ² In vain you get up early and stay up late, working hard to have enough food— yes, He gives sleep to the one He loves.

My observation:

In the Proverb and the Psalm, we find wisdom and inspiration. In both of these passages we see the centrality of the Lord in the life of Solomon, who is the author of both passages.

The portion of the Psalm is our focus for today.  I totally agree with the statement, “Unless the Lord”. I don’t know about you, but I would not want to live my life without the Lord being in control of my life. I don’t want to have the last word, I want to know and embrace what the Lord says. I will settle for his wisdom over my wisdom any day.

What is the value of hard work, watching, and waking if the Lord is not with you? All of these things are okay, but it is far better to have the Lord’s blessings in our lives, and the other things to follow in their place.

Ephesians 2:10 (HCSB)
For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

Philippians 2:12-13 (HCSB)
¹² So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ¹³ For it is God who is working in you, [enabling you] both to desire and to work out His good purpose.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the wonderful purpose and plans you have for your people who, by faith, are willing to look to the Lord.

Father God, I know where my help comes from, and I ask that you will strengthen my trust in and reliance upon you.

Psalm 121:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? ² My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

My song:

Look and Live (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Look_And_Live.html

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:11 (HCSB)
The one who loves a pure heart and gracious lips—the king is his friend.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 126:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. ² Our mouths were filled with laughter then, and our tongues with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” ³ The Lord had done great things for us; we were joyful. ⁴ Restore our fortunes, Lord, like watercourses in the Negev. ⁵ Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. ⁶ Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.

My observation:

This is a song of celebration by the people of God. When you know the God of the bible, and receive in your heart the Savior, you too have something to celebrate. If Jesus, God’s only begotten son, has delivered you, you have something to thank God for.

The God of the bible has a compassionate heart for people. His loves permeates the pages of the bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Those who the Savior saves he also blesses. However, God blesses us in order that we might be a blessing to others.

Psalm 126:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. ⁶ Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that I am a recipient of your love, grace, and mercy. Lord, I pray that I will be a faithful servant in the fields that are white unto harvest by going, weeping, sowing, and reaping.

My song:

Bringing in the Sheaves (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Bringing_in_the_Sheaves.html

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:21 (HCSB)
The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 125:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever. ² Jerusalem—the mountains surround her. And the Lord surrounds His people, both now and forever.

Psalm 125:4-5 (HCSB)
⁴ Do what is good, Lord, to the good, to those whose hearts are upright. ⁵ But as for those who turn aside to crooked ways, the Lord will banish them with the evildoers. Peace be with Israel.

My observation:

One of the blessings that the pilgrim enjoyed was security and stability when they completed the journey to attend the feast days held in the mountains surrounding Mount Zion. We who are citizens of the heavenly Zion can also rest in the blessed assurance that we are safe and secure in the care of our Lord on our march to Zion.

It pays to trust in the Lord every day, and the blessings get sweeter the longer we serve him. Another blessing of trusting in the Lord is that along life’s highway when we walk by faith, with our trust in the Lord, we avoid the paths that lead you to wander away for the care of the Lord.

It is so much more secure, stable, and peaceful to walk in the path of the saints, than to stray onto the path of the wicked and the unrighteous. It pays to walk with Jesus every day, and to walk in the straight and narrow way.

Psalm 23:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. ² He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. ³ He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank You for the confidence I have in you that allows me to commit my life to your loving and tender care.

Father God, I pray for more faith and for a closer walk with my Savior.

My song:

O for a Closer Walk with God (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_O_For_A_Closer_Walk.html

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 20:22 (HCSB)
Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the Lord, and He will rescue you.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 124:1-8 (HCSB)
¹ If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say— ² If the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, ³ then they would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger against us. ⁴ Then the waters would have engulfed us; the torrent would have swept over us; ⁵ the raging waters would have swept over us. ⁶ Praise the Lord, who has not let us be ripped apart by their teeth. ⁷ We have escaped like a bird from the hunter’s net; the net is torn, and we have escaped. ⁸ Our help is in the name of Yahweh, the Maker of heaven and earth.

My observation:

David, the author of this Psalm, was a man who was acquainted with difficult people and difficult circumstances. He was able to detect the anger of Saul and flea to the caves for safety. He was able to sense when things around him were getting to the point of being overwhelming. However, it is the traps that our supreme enemy sets for us that may ensnare us if we are not watchful.

David found that he had a resource available to him that was more powerful than his enemies who rose up against him, and would have swallowed him alive. He found he had a helper who could calm the stormy waters of life that would have overwhelmed him. And finally, he found that he had a Savior that set him free from the snares of Satan. He could say, “The net is torn, and we have escaped”.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that I can say with the Psalmist, and with the people of God, “If the Lord had not been on our side”.

Father God, I am so grateful to you that I don’t have to contemplate living in this world without the Lord on my side. I am so blessed to be able to say as David and the God’s people said:

Psalm 124:8 (HCSB)
Our help is in the name of Yahweh, the Maker of heaven and earth.

My song:

His Eye is On the Sparrow (Click on link below to listen to Mahalia Jackson):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM_JRAPSwVM&feature=related

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 19:3 (HCSB)
A man’s own foolishness leads him astray, yet his heart rages against the Lord.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 123:1-4 (HCSB)
¹ I lift my eyes to You, the One enthroned in heaven. ² Like a servant’s eyes on his master’s hand, like a servant girl’s eyes on her mistress’s hand, so our eyes are on the Lord our God until He shows us favor. ³ Show us favor, Lord, show us favor, for we’ve had more than enough contempt. ⁴ We’ve had more than enough scorn from the arrogant [and] contempt from the proud.

My observation:

As we travel on the journey that leads us up the Kings Highway, we often run into the Devil’s crowd going the other way. It takes discipline, but the key is to keep your focus off the crowd going the wrong way, and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus who will lead you the right way.

Life is not easy, and even God’s most faithful servants encounter problems along life’s highway to heaven. Consider what Job went through.

Job 23:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ Then Job answered: ² Today also my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning. ³ If only I knew how to find Him, so that I could go to His throne.

You might be in the place where Job was, but even in his hardest and darkest days, Job never gave up, and he never gave in to the enemy of his soul.  The theme of our Psalm for today is an encouragement to look to the Lord. The life of Job shows us that even when we can’t see the Lord’s hand that he is always working.

Job 23:8-9 (HCSB)
⁸ If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him. ⁹ When He is at work to the north, I cannot see Him; when He turns south, I cannot find Him.

You may not be able to see God with the eyes in your head, but you can know him and see him with your eyes of faith.

Job 23:10 (HCSB)
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.

The question then becomes, “So what?” The answer is to do what Job did. You may not be able to control the circumstances of your life neither the testing of your faith. However, you can fulfill the requirements of a servant. Notice how Job stayed obedient to the Word, and stayed in the Word.

Job 23:11-12 (HCSB)
¹¹ My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept to His way and not turned aside. ¹² I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that my heart will remain steadfast, and that I will never, by faith, lose sight of Jesus as I travel along life’s highway. Lord, I pray that you will keep me near the cross because my troubles fade when I am in the presence of my Savior.

My song:

Near the Cross (Click on link below to enjoy this old gospel hymn):                                                  

YouTube - Bishop David L. Ellis - Near the Cross