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The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:23 (HCSB)
Buy—and do not sell—truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 147:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ Hallelujah! How good it is to sing to our God, for praise is pleasant and lovely. ² The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; He gathers Israel’s exiled people. ³ He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. ⁴ He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. ⁵ Our Lord is great, vast in power; His understanding is infinite. ⁶ The Lord helps the afflicted but brings the wicked to the ground.

My observation:

The Lord is so great and his understanding is so infinite that there is nothing that you can bring to him that will be too big or small for him to handle.

The Lord delights to gather around him those who the world despises and rejects. The people of the world with all of their flaws may reject you, but the Lord who is perfect in all his ways will embrace and accept you.

It is no wonder that God’s people delight in giving him praise. It is good to sing praises to God because he is a good God and he is a Great God. The Psalmist said that he is vast in power and his understanding is infinite.

When the praises of God’s people go up, the blessings from the Father in heaven come down in abundance upon his people.

My prayer:

Father God, I thank you that you love, care and provide for your people in our earthly home from the cradle to the grave in this world, and forever in our heavenly home.

Lord, you are great and greatly to be praised.

Psalm 147:7 (HCSB)
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; play the lyre to our God,

My song:

You Can’t Beat God Giving (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbFtNe-8QHk

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 20:24 (HCSB)
A man’s steps are determined by the Lord, so how can anyone understand his own way?

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 146:5-9 (HCSB)
⁵ Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, ⁶ the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, ⁷ executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry. The Lord frees prisoners. ⁸ The Lord opens [the eyes of] the blind. The Lord raises up those who are oppressed. The Lord loves the righteous. ⁹ The Lord protects foreigners and helps the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked.

My observation:

Are you able to say that you are truly blessed? If you have put your faith in the true God, Yahweh, and you live in the care of his everlasting arms, then you are indeed blessed. God’s power is limitless and he has impeccable character. If God says it in his word, you can bank on it.

Notice the type of people that God offers help. Our focal passage lists some of the groups of people that God extends a helping hand. Included in that list is the oppressed, hungry, prisoners, blind, bowed down, sojourners, widow, and the fatherless.

If you condition is not in this list, take hope. The Lord Jesus invites all to come to him and find restoration and rest.

Matthew 11:28 (HCSB)
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

When the object of your faith is the Lord, you will have a growing faith, and a blessed hope because of God’s character. I am so thankful that “He remains faithful forever”.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so blessed to have the gift of faith that enables me to put my trust in God, and not in the princes of this world.

Father God, I am so blessed that faith allows me to take the upward look, and hope points me in the direction of the forward look.

My song:

How Vast, Immense, and Measureless (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/8330

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 19:11 (HCSB)
A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 145:14 (HCSB)
The Lord helps all who fall; He raises up all who are oppressed.

Psalm 145:18-20 (HCSB)
¹⁸ The Lord is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity. ¹⁹ He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry for help and saves them. ²⁰ The Lord guards all those who love Him, but He destroys all the wicked.

My observation:

It is comforting to know that the Lord is the protector and the preserver of his people. No matter what storms and struggles you face in life, you can take heart in knowing that if you stay near to God he will stay near to you. God’s people may stray from him, but he will never leave them.

If God’s people stumble and fall in the pit, God is present to pick them up, and get them started on the journey again.

Your enemies may be bigger than you, have more resources than you, but God is bigger than any opponent you will ever face.

Psalm 37:12-15 (HCSB)
¹² The wicked person schemes against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him. ¹³ The Lord laughs at him because He sees that his day is coming. ¹⁴ The wicked have drawn the sword and strung the bow to bring down the afflicted and needy and to slaughter those whose way is upright. ¹⁵ Their swords will enter their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

Therefore, when I am down, I will look up. When I have a problem, I will pray. In everything I will give praise and thanks to the Lord.

Psalm 104:33 (HCSB)
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God while I live.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that you are a faithful God and that you are always near to your people.

Father God, I extol you, and I am amazed at the sight of your glory, greatness, and goodness. Father, I am humbled by your grace and your mercy that are your unceasing gifts to your people.

My song:

Bless the Lord, O My Soul – Psalm 103 (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbHV2TYGVso&feature=related

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 18:10 (HCSB)
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 145:9 (HCSB)
The Lord is good to everyone; His compassion [rests] on all He has made.

Psalm 145:15-16 (HCSB)
¹⁵ All eyes look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. ¹⁶ You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

My observation:

This is the last of the Psalms of David, and what a way to introduce these closing Psalms. I often turn to these Psalms to provide me with the words to express the joy that fills my soul when I think about the goodness and the graciousness of God.

These closing Psalm are both a hymnbook and a textbook for how to offer praise to God. A genuine and steadfast faith in God is required to fully enjoy the celebration of God’s goodness celebrated in this Psalm.

When I am at a loss for words to join in the celebration of praising God, I turn to Psalm 145 and use the vocabulary used by David. I believe it to be true that when the praises go up to God, the blessings come down to his believing children.

It’s prayer time. Let us join with David, and the saints of the ages in offering up to God our sacrifice of praise from a grateful heart.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, how good and refreshing it is to offer up to you our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. There is no God like Yahweh. Lord, I will bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you , and sing your praises.

Psalm 145:3 (HCSB)
Yahweh is great and is highly praised; His greatness is unsearchable.

Psalm 145:21 (HCSB)
My mouth will declare Yahweh’s praise; let every living thing praise His holy name forever and ever.

My song:

We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2OmaKsVfxs&feature=related

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 17:3 (HCSB)
A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 144:5-8 (HCSB)
⁵ Lord, part Your heavens and come down. Touch the mountains, and they will smoke. ⁶ Flash [Your] lightning and scatter the foe; shoot Your arrows and rout them. ⁷ Reach down from heaven; rescue me from deep water, and set me free from the grasp of foreigners ⁸ whose mouths speak lies, whose right hands are deceptive.

My observation:

Many of the problems that the Christian faces in serving the Lord are not his or her battles. They belong to the Lord.

Our duty as Christian soldiers is to dress everyday for the battle by putting on the whole armor of God. The Lord will defend his people, and he will fight his battles.

Our primary resources for facing and overcoming enemies and the forces that come against us in our Christian journey through this world are the bible and prayer. Consider this Old Testament example of how God provides for his people when they look to him for help.

2 Chronicles 20:14-18 (HCSB)
¹⁴ In the middle of the congregation, the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel (son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite from Asaph’s descendants), ¹⁵ and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. ¹⁶ Tomorrow, go down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. ¹⁷ You do not have to fight this [battle]. Position yourselves, standstill, and see the salvation of the Lord. [He is] with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you.’” ¹⁸ Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship Him.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that I serve a God who hears my cry for help, and attends to my prayers for deliverance. Lord, I thank you that the battle will not last forever down here. Lord, I am looking forward to receiving the victor’s crown.

My song:

New Jerusalem (Click on link below to listen to this song by Rev. James Cleveland):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRB7wvno8SQ

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 16:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. ² All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives. ³ Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be achieved.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 143:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ Lord, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness listen to my plea, and in Your righteousness answer me. ² Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous in Your sight. ³ For the enemy has pursued me, crushing me to the ground, making me live in darkness like those long dead. ⁴ My spirit is weak within me; my heart is overcome with dismay. ⁵ I remember the days of old; I meditate on all You have done; I reflect on the work of Your hands. ⁶ I spread out my hands to You; I am like parched land before You. Selah

My observation:

Today’s Proverb and Psalm shines the spotlight on the Lord. David knew where to turn when he was in trouble.

It does not take a great amount of faith to get your prayers answered, but you have to have the object of your prayers directed to the right person. David made the object of his prayer, the Lord. David did not come to the Lord based on his own merit, but he came pleading for the Lord’s grace and mercy.

David presented his plea to God based on God’s faithfulness and righteousness. If you take this stance before God, you are in a position to hear from heaven. Love is God’s nature. He delights to show mercy to the weak in spirit and the dismayed in heart.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, my condition is like that of your servant David. There is nothing I can do in my strength alone that would qualify me to stand in your holy presence.

Father God, I come before your throne of grace invoking the sweetest name I know, the name of your darling son, Jesus. My prayer is the prayer of your servant David.

Psalm 143:8 (HCSB)
Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in You. Reveal to me the way I should go because I long for You.

My song:

The Solid Rock (Click on link below to listen to The Caravans sing this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUeMaA5MAs0&NR=1

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 13:14 (HCSB)
A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 13:20 (HCSB)
The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 142:3 (HCSB)
Although my spirit is weak within me, You know my way. Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me.

My observation:

Today’s Psalm in another of David’s Psalms from the cave. David was in a difficult situation, and he was seeking shelter from his enemies.

1 Samuel 22:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ So David left Gath and took refuge in the cave of Adullam. When David’s brothers and his father’s whole family heard, they went down and joined him there. ² In addition, every man who was desperate, in debt, or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About 400 men were with him.

1 Samuel 22:23 (HCSB)
Stay with me. Don’t be afraid, for the one who wants to take my life wants to take your life. You will be safe with me.”

There are times in your life when you will need more shelter than a cave can provide. Seeking shelter from your troubles and your enemies in a cave is not enough.

However, there is one that you can run to who will always be enough. David, a man who had faith in the Lord, found that refuge in the Lord.

Psalm 142:5 (HCSB)
I cry to You, Lord; I say, “You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.”

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that I have a God in whom I can trust, and who is always available to lead, guide, and protect me as I walk through this world with all of its dangerous toils and snares.

Father God, I am blessed to be able to be counted with those who can testify that they have been set free by the amazing grace of our loving and living heavenly Father.

My song:

Amazing Grace (Click on link below for lyrics and to listen to this song):                

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/313

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 12:14 (HCSB)
A man will be satisfied with good by the words of his mouth, and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.

Proverbs 12:25 (HCSB)
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 141:1-4 (HCSB)
¹ Lord, I call on You; hurry to [help] me. Listen to my voice when I call on You. ² May my prayer be set before You as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering. ³ Lord, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips. ⁴ Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing or perform wicked acts with men who commit sin. Do not let me feast on their delicacies.

My observation:

The tongue is a very powerful instrument. The condition of the heart controls what comes out of our mouth.

Matthew 12:34-37 (HCSB)
³⁴ Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. ³⁵ A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil. ³⁶ I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Hence, the Proverbs admonishes us to guard our heart.

Proverbs 4:23 (HCSB)
Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, the prayer of David concerning the need to control the mouth suits my condition.

Psalm 141:3 (HCSB)
Lord, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

Father God, in following the example of your servant David, I offer to you the sacrifice of praise by surrendering my all to you. Lord, I give my voice, my hands, my mouth, my lips, my head, and my eyes to the Lord as my spiritual worship.

Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB)
¹ Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

My song:

My Spirit, Soul, and Body (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/447

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 11:20 (HCSB)
Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord, but those with blameless conduct are His delight.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 140:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ Rescue me, Lord, from evil men. Keep me safe from violent men ² who plan evil in their hearts. They stir up wars all day long. ³ They make their tongues as sharp as a snake’s bite; viper’s venom is under their lips. Selah

My observation:

The Proverb for today pictures the contrasts between the righteous and the wicked. God has a position on this, and he is not neutral.

The Psalm today is a lament that expresses what David had to deal with at the hands of evil men. David, because he was a man who trusted in the Lord with his whole heart, knew that he had a refuge to which he could turn to in his day of trouble.

David made prayer his first option. His faith kicked in and he told the Lord what he needed. His prayer was specific and to the point. He prayed, “Rescue me, Lord”, and “Keep me safe from violent men”.

There are two other things I observed in this Psalm. David remembered the promises of God in verse twelve, and in verse thirteen he included praise in his prayer.

Psalm 140:12-13 (HCSB)
¹² I know that the Lord upholds the just cause of the poor, justice for the needy. ¹³ Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will live in Your presence.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that, by faith, I will stay daily in touch with heaven so that I will never have to face the enemy of God and his people in my strength alone.

Father I thank you for your promises that are so precious to me, and I praise and thank you that you are a promise-keeping God. In your presence I know that victory is mine today, and every day.

My song:

Victory is Mine (Click on link below to listen to Dorothy Norwood sing this song):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L50l9wNXS0M

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 10:16-17 (HCSB)
¹⁶ The labor of the righteous leads to life; the activity of the wicked leads to sin. ¹⁷ The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 139:1-6 (HCSB)
¹ Lord, You have searched me and known me. ² You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away. ³ You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways. ⁴ Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, Lord. ⁵ You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me. ^{6 [}This] extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to [reach] it.

Psalm 139:14 (HCSB)
I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know [this] very well.

The key word in this Psalm is “know”. The first six verses speak of what God knows about you and me. This Psalm is one that the Psalmist, David, could sing with confidence because of his trust in and faithfulness to the Lord.

However, if you are trying to run from the Lord or hide from the Lord, this Psalm will offer you little comfort because there is no place you can flea to escape God’s presence. When I was a child I used to hear this song that talked about this subject.

“There’s no hiding place down here.

You know, there’s no hiding place down here.

I went to the rock to hide my face

But the rock cried out, no, no hiding place down here.”

Well, since God knows, and I know that he knows, I will take the path that David took. I will invite the one who knows me best, the one who made me and formed me to search me, and to lead and guide me in the path that I should go.

Psalm 139:23-24 (HCSB)
²³ Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. ²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so blessed and thankful that I have a God who knows everything about me, but loves me still.

Father God, my prayer is that you would, “Lead Me, Guide Me”. Lord, this is my condition, so this is my song.

My song:

Lead Me, Guide Me (Click on link below to listen to this song by Brother Joe May):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvi7tVCTnf8