After Solomon had been made king, God appeared to him in a dream and said “Ask what I shall give you.” (3:5) Solomon did not ask for selfish things like riches or a long life. “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:9) Solomon’s request pleased God so much that He gave Solomon what he had asked for and…
In the longest chapter of the Bible, the Psalmist asks a question and then promptly gives us the best answer. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (Psalms 119:9) His advice works for not just young men, but everyone who follows it. Later he makes another famous statement about God’s word. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalms 119:105) Isaiah tells us that we do not have…
No matter how bad things might have gotten for David thru his life, whether self inflicted or not, he always came back to his source of strength and saving power. “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.” (Psalms 37:39) No matter what may happen in our lives, the Lord is there for us also. We just have to bring our burdens to Him. “Cast your burden on the LORD, and…
There are many beatitudes found in the book of Psalms. “Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!” (Psalms 112:1) God’s commandments are something we should be happy to follow. In the first Psalm we read that in addition to delighting in God’s word, we should also meditate on it. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in…
Being totally dependent on someone else is normally not a good thing, unless that someone is our Heavenly Father. “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” (Psalms 127:1) Jesus also spoke of how we should depend on Him. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me…
In Psalm 139 David acknowledged God’s ability to know all of our thoughts. “O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” (Psalm 139:1-2) It is easy to let our minds wander off on things we shouldn’t, but Paul gives us some pointers on focusing our thoughts. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,…
In 1 Chronicles chapter 29 we read a prayer from David not long before he died. The humbleness in his heart is evident as he speaks to our Heavenly Father. “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11) David knew and…
The Psalmist begged God to save him from his enemies. “Help me, O LORD my God! Save me according to your steadfast love! Let them know that this is your hand; you, O LORD, have done it!” (Psalms 109:26-27) In another Psalm he reminded us that with God on our side there was no need to fear. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms…
God’s Word records several mistakes that David made in his life. Also recorded is evidence of his penitent heart. “And David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.’” (1 Chronicles 21:8) He did not want everyone else to have to suffer because of his own sin. “And David said to God, ‘Was it not I who gave command…
According to the Psalmist there are things that God provides for those who live righteously. “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.” (Psalms 97:11) Peter tells us that this joy we have with Christ is beyond description. “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of…