Faith Journey

Psalm 8

Key Verse: Psalm 8:3  "When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place..."

This is an amazing Psalm.  In verse 3 it says that God created the universe with his fingers. It's as though the universe is a science project of his; the whole thing is before him and he works on it with his fingers.  I can imagine God creating the Milky Way (our galaxy).  That's only one little corner of His project.  He then gets his needle-point utensils out and sets our planets in place, every star (and names every one of them) and then earth. He sets them to motion with perfect synchronism.

And then he made man.  Think of our size in light of creation (the science project on his dining room table) and he values the praise of nursing babies and desires more than anything a personal life relationship with man.

Key Truths: To me this Psalm speaks of the power and majesty of God while at the same time his tenderness, love and care.  This psalm speaks of theology of man in that God's love is extended to man and desires more than anything a personal relationship with man. God has given man a purpose - to care for his creation.

God in Psalm 8: God is creator and originator of all things, including man and man's purpose.

Application: The focus of my devotion is God himself.  My world and all that is associated with it must be directly connected with God desires of me. As far as caring for creation, believers need to be the champions of recycling and care for this world.  We need to be an eco-believer.

My Prayer: Dear Lord, I am amazed at the details of your creation.  You are all powerful, indescribable and yet you know me, personally.  To think that you delight in the time I stop and just spend time with you. Lord, I understand now my responsibility concerning your creation.  You want me to be an eco-believer.  I accept.  Bless me today Lord as I follow you.

New Testament: Hebrews 2:6-8
Old Testament: Genesis 1:26-28

Psalm 27

This Psalm stands at the top of the list as "one of my favorites".  I come often to this place to meditate on the great truths about who God is. Whether during times of sadness, the truths of God found in this Psalm can draw you to look up and give praise. Whether or not we are personally experiencing these qualities of God in your life at the moment is not a reason to stop praising God for who he is.  Are you discouraged?  Begin thanking God for these truths about him and then meditate upon what these qualities.

Take time to ponder each great quality of our God.

In Psalm 27, the Lord is described as "my":

1. Light (Psalm 27:1)
2. Salvation (Psalm 27:1)
3. Stronghold (Psalm 27:1)
4. Defender (Psalm 27:2)
5. Place of Safety (Psalm 27:3)
6. Listening ear (Psalm 27:4)
7. Encouragement (Psalm 27:4)
8. Hiding Place (Psalm 27:5)
9. Perspective Keeper (Psalm 27:5)
10. Confidence (Psalm 27:6)
11. Reason for Joy (Psalm 27:6)
12. Reason for Song (Psalm 27:6)
13. Mercy (Psalm 27:7)
14. Destination (Psalm 27:8)
15. Helper (Psalm 27:9)
16. Constant Friend (Psalm 27:10)
17. Teacher (Psalm 27:11)
18. Guide (Psalm 27:11)
19. Truth Bearer (Psalm 27:12)
20. The one who knows the truth about me (Psalm 27:12)
21. Goodness in this life (Psalm 27:13)
22. God worth waiting for (Psalm 27:14)

We serve a great God that will never leave or forsake us. We are safe in his care. Make sure you stay close to him.

Two Scenes:
First, the Psalmist draws our attention to a hill upon which a farmer is lifting his wheat into the air. A wind is blowing and carries the chaff with it.  The good seed falls to the ground.

Second, we see a strong tree - clearly having weathered the times yet the branches are filled with leaves and fruit.

Most people look at the "black and white" life pattern with disdain.  We favor life in the blended zone and want the gray zone as a particularly acceptable pattern for life.  Others like the dichotomized perspective of life - one for weekends and the other for business.

Psalm 1 sets the tone for all the Psalms that follow.

Key Verse:
Psalm 1:3  He is like a tree planted by flowing streams; it yields its fruit at the proper time, and its leaves never fall off. He succeeds in everything he attempts. (NETBible)

Key Truth:
There is a right way to live and which is described in the books of the law (the Scriptures) that God has authored for us.  We learn to understand these truths through meditation upon the life principles and God will be our guard and guide as we seek to walk rightly.

Finding God in Psalm 1:
We find God as the author of the commandments found in Scripture and so His Word is trustworthy and profitable for our everyday life.  We also see God as the guard and guide of those that meditate and seek to follow His Word.

My Application:
In order to stand firm in this life as a believer, I must take time to meditate daily in God's Word. Only then will I know how to live and only then will I experience a dynamic faith filled life.  I can know that God is guiding me if meditate day and night on God and his Word.

Notes:
There are 3 triplets in the structure of verse one.

1. follow, stand, sit
2. advice, pathway, assembly
3. wicked, sinners, scoffers

New Testament References:
Matthew 7:13-14, Ephesians 4:1; 4:17; 5:2; 5:8; 5:15