I Met God in the Morning

 

Read More

Embracing Life's Seasons

 Embracing Life’s Seasons

January 6, 2026

A compilation

Audio length: 14:18
Download Audio (13.1MB)

As humans, we all have to undergo many changes in our lives. From getting married, having kids, starting a new job or business, losing a loved one, and more are all indicators that we are about to undergo a season of transition and change.

Seasons of transition and change can be confusing, overwhelming, and just plain scary sometimes. The possibilities of what’s ahead may seem endless and cause great worry when you don’t know what the future holds. Although these times of transition and change may cause great worry, we must remember that our God is the one who holds our future. … We serve a God who knows the beginning and the end.

We must remember that our God is walking alongside us as we undergo these many changes in our lives and is well aware of our concerns. One of the greatest ways to remind ourselves of what God has to say during these times of transition and change is reading His Word. God has left us with His Word to help give us peace during these seasons where everything around us or in us is changing.

Here are [some] scriptures to meditate on during seasons of transition and change:

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you’” (Psalm 32:8).

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

“For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you’” (Isaiah 41:13).

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).—Crystal Monroe¹

Times of transformation

It is often the times of change, hardship, and transition that God uses to transform His people into His likeness to be a people who declare His praise. A simple truth about transition is that life is one big transition as God changes us to be conformed to Christ (Romans 8:28–30). Much of this time of growth isn’t pretty, but is filled with hard days marked by persevering faith that God provides. And as He is with us, draws near, and changes us, He produces character and hope in Him through the Spirit (Romans 5:3–5). …

Here are some truths we can cling to as we find our hope in Jesus, in the gospel, and in God’s goodness amidst the changing seasons of life.

—Seasons of change grow our trust in God and ability to rely on Him. ... This can be so hard as we wait for what’s next, as we settle into a new rhythm of life, or as our lives are in a bit of upheaval. But the truth that God is fully trustworthy is one that we can cling to and rely on as He builds our trust in Him in the unknown. Knowing He is sovereignly in control can bring peace and dependence on His plan and goodness in all of life. …

—Change is a time to actively give thanks to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who is with us every step of the way! No matter what season we’re in, we can have confidence that God is present with us, cares, and can bring us His perfect peace. For that we give Him great thanks and praise!

—Prayer is a key to allowing God to work in these times. In all the waiting, unknown, and change, we must give each moment over to the Lord, trusting in His goodness along the way and surrendering our own plans to Him.

—God is our complete satisfaction and fulfillment. These times bring us to our knees reminding us that Jesus is our true satisfaction; He is all we need. It is not our home, our schedule, our comforts, or our own securities that keep us secure, it is our good Savior who is with us, loves us, cares, and fully satisfies every longing of our hearts. …

We have a God who is faithful, He is with us, and He is always working in every season of life to transform and redeem His creation to display His glory.—Gospel in Everyday²

Searching for the treasures

In the Bible, King Solomon described the cycle of life in Ecclesiastes 3 by seasons—seasons of birth and of death, of planting and of harvesting, of trying and of giving up, of gaining and of losing, of grieving and of laughing. He prefaced this by declaring, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

One thing that is certain in life is that we all go through seasons, which will often require navigating change and new challenges. Some seasons of life we will look forward to and embrace with gratitude and joy. Other seasons of life may be difficult ones, with loss, tragedy, or health challenges. In every season, we know that God is with us and working in and through our circumstances for our good (Romans 8:28).

There are seasons where God is at work in our lives to shape something new in our hearts. We experience seasons where blessings abound, and seasons where the blessings are hidden and we have to search for them, and in the process we grow closer to Him. “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name” (Isaiah 45:3).

No matter what season we’re currently living in, we can search for the treasures this time holds for us—even during the trying seasons of life.—Ronan Keane

Trusting the God of all seasons

“I am the Lord, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things” (Isaiah 45:6–7).

Life is full of seasons. Some are bright and joyful, filled with blessings and clarity. Others feel dark and heavy, marked by pain, uncertainty, or loss. In this passage, God reminds us that He is Lord over every season—both the light and the darkness, the good times and the bad.

The world offers many explanations for why things happen—chance, luck, human power—but God declares: “I am the Lord, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:6). There is no rival. No one else shapes history or holds our future. This truth anchors us when life feels unstable.

God says He creates both light and darkness. Light symbolizes joy, truth, and blessing. Darkness often represents confusion, trial, or hardship. Both are realities of life, and both fall under His rule. We can take comfort that darkness never has the final word—because even in it, God is present and working.

When Isaiah’s words were spoken, Israel was in exile. They needed to hear that Babylon and Persia weren’t in control—God was. The same is true for us. Our lives are not shaped by random chance or hostile forces but by a God who rules with wisdom and love.

Because the Lord is sovereign over every season, we can rest when life feels chaotic. We can worship with confidence, knowing His rule never changes. We can endure trials with hope, believing God brings purpose out of pain.

Seasons change, but God remains the same. Whether you are walking in sunlight or shadow today, take heart: the Lord of every season holds you in His hand.—Mark Cole³

A purpose for every season

Life is made up of different seasons—some pleasant, others painful; some filled with joy, others with challenges. Just as nature experiences spring, summer, autumn, and winter, so also do we face various seasons in our spiritual journey. The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us that “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” This truth calls us to recognise that God is sovereign over every moment of our lives.

Whether you are in a season of abundance or lack, laughter or tears, growth or pruning, one constant must remain: our trust in God. Trusting God in every season means acknowledging His perfect timing, surrendering to His plan, and walking by faith even when the path is unclear. [We can] embrace every season as a divine appointment rather than a setback, knowing that God is always working behind the scenes for our good and His glory.—Samuel Arimoro⁴

Published on Anchor January 2026. Read by Debra Lee. Music by Michael Fogarty.

---

¹ Crystal Monroe, “10 Scriptures to Meditate on During Seasons of Transition and Change,” confidentwomanco.com, July 17, 2022, https://confidentwomanco.com/2022/07/17/10-scriptures-to-meditate-on-during-seasons-of-transition-and-change

² “The Gospel and Transitions in Life,” raisingeverydaydisciples.com, https://raisingeverydaydisciples.com/the-gospel-and-transitions-in-life

³ Mark Cole, “Trusting the God of All Seasons,” www.markcole.ca, September 29, 2025, https://www.markcole.ca/trusting-the-god-of-all-seasons

⁴ Samuel Arimoro, “Trusting God in Every Season,” samuelarimoro.wordpress.com, June 2, 2025, https://samuelarimoro.wordpress.com/2025/06/02/trusting-god-in-every-season

Copyright © 2026 The Family International

Read More

Lost Conquistador

 

Read More

Ukraine Updates January 5, 2026

 

Read More

Why Are There So Many Closet Gays on the Right?

 

Read More

Is the Bible True?

 

Read More

Spreading the Good News

 

By P.  Amsterdam

Audio length: 9:04
Download Audio (8.3MB)

The Bible declares that this world, and our lives within it, are not all that there is, and that this life is only a portion of our existence as our spirits continue to live after the death of our bodies. God’s Word also teaches that it’s only possible for us, as humans, to be in God’s presence in the afterlife if we are first reconciled with Him. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

In His great love for the world and each of us in it, God made it possible to bridge the gap between us and Him through Jesus, who gave His life for our sins. Because of this great act of love, our sins are forgiven when we receive Jesus as our Savior, and therefore we will live in God’s presence in the life to come (Ephesians 2:4–6). This is the profound truth that we, as Christians, believe. What a tremendous comfort to know that, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, everyone who receives Him will live with God eternally in the life to come!

There is also a sad part to this story, which is that not everyone has heard the truth of God’s plan of salvation, and many people don’t know or don’t understand or haven’t accepted that eternal life with God is available to them through faith in Jesus. Most of us didn’t know this either, until we heard it from another Christian, either personally or through Christian publications or via the media. Because we were told, we believed, and we inherited eternal life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

I came to faith because my high school friend witnessed to me, patiently answered my questions, and kept the explanations simple enough that I could understand. He showed me some key Bible verses, which spoke powerfully to me. He showed interest, patience, concern, and understanding as he answered my questions and explained God’s deep love for me. My life was completely changed because when I was searching and seeking for answers, someone took the time to witness to me and share their faith.

Perhaps you have a similar story. Someone told you about Jesus or perhaps you heard about salvation from a preacher, or someone witnessed to you at school, or on the street, or in a restaurant. Perhaps it was a friend, a relative, or someone at work, or someone sitting next to you on a bus, train, or plane.

The ways in which we manifest Jesus’ love, acceptance, and compassion for others in our everyday lives—the lives we lead, the love we show, the light of God’s Spirit radiating from within us—is an important part of drawing people to the Lord. But words of explanation are also necessary. We need to talk about the Lord, salvation, and faith to those with whom we interact. As the apostle Paul wrote: “For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:13–14).

People telling others about the gospel is key to conveying the understanding that there is life beyond this life, and that because of God’s deep love for humanity, He has given us the gift, the opportunity, of living with Him forever through Jesus’ death on the cross. If Christians don’t do the “telling,” then many people will miss the opportunity to hear this wonderful news and be saved. No matter what our situation, the call to share this news is always before us. Jesus said: “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit” (John 20:21, 15:16).

Each of us has received the free gift of salvation—free for us but costly for Jesus. He gave all of Himself to redeem humankind, but He depends on us and has commissioned us as Christians to share the message with others. And if we fail to do so, there is no guarantee they’ll hear it some other way.

The apostle Paul succinctly expressed how important sharing the gospel with others is when he stated, “For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). Other Bible translations of this verse translate this as “An obligation is laid on me” (NRS), “I am compelled to preach” (NIV). Another version expresses it like this: “I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!” (NLT).

As Christians, we have been given the greatest gift anyone can ever receive. We have found the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45–46). We have the privilege of entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Multitudes yearn for what we already know and have received, whether they realize it or not.

Because of God’s love and mercy, we are privileged to know the truth, the purpose and meaning of life. We have a relationship with God, our heavenly Father, that will extend into eternity. Others are seeking for the answers and purpose and to understand the meaning of life, and God, in His love, wants them to have the opportunity to know the way, the truth, and the life that can only be found through Jesus (John 14:6). How sad, how deeply regrettable it is, when we as Christians, who are so richly blessed, don’t share the truth with others, when Jesus’ directive to share the good news with others is ignored.

It most definitely can be a challenge to do this with the busy lives we all lead. Yet Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross for each one of us, and another Christian sacrificed time and effort to share the good news with us. As has been said, Christ alone can save this world, but Christ can’t save this world alone. Someone has to tell people about Jesus and salvation, and when God brings a person across our path, we are that someone.

If we truly recognize the deep love and concern God has for each person, and that Jesus gave His life so they can possess eternal life, then we will feel compelled to tell those whom the Lord leads us to or brings across our path—even if it’s inconvenient, difficult, costly, or humbling.

We are directed by the Savior of our souls to present the opportunity to know Him to others—to bring the awareness of the great gift that was freely given to us to those who have not yet heard or understood the gospel message. Are we willing to do this? Do we pray for souls, and then put feet to our prayers? Do we pray for laborers who will share the message with others, and are we willing to be those laborers ourselves? Do we pray for the Lord to bring those who are searching across our path? Do we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to those who will respond to God’s love? Are we willing to give some of our time, effort, thought, prayer, and action toward the commission Jesus has given us? When faced with someone in need of eternal life, do we take action by sharing the message of salvation with them?

We have been commissioned to be His witnesses and to proclaim the gospel through our lives, our words, and our actions. “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

If we’re committed to doing what Jesus has asked of us, we will do our part to share the good news with others. If we realize the eternal effect it will have on someone’s life and future, we will be faithful to His great commission. If we love our neighbors as ourselves, as Jesus taught us to, then we will be compelled to let them know how deeply God loves them, and to show them how they can enter the kingdom of heaven through believing in Jesus.

Let’s each do our part to spread the good news and help others to come to faith in Jesus and to receive His gift of salvation and eternal life.

Originally published April 2013. Adapted and republished January 2026. Read by Jon Marc.

Read More

“De manhã ouvirás a minha voz, Senhor; de manhã te apresentarei a minha oração e aguardarei.” - Salmo 5

Dennis Edwards

Hoje vamos analisar o Salmo 5, outro cântico de oração de David.

Salmo 5:1-2 “Dá ouvidos às minhas palavras, Senhor; considera a minha meditação. Escuta a voz do meu clamor, ó Rei meu e Deus meu, pois a ti orarei.”

Vemos David a suplicar a Deus que ouça o seu clamor. Muitas vezes rezamos da mesma forma e com a mesma intenção.

Salmo 5:3 “De manhã ouvirás a minha voz, Senhor; de manhã te apresentarei a minha oração e aguardarei.”

Ao acordarmos de manhã, a nossa primeira e principal reação deve ser a de invocar o Senhor. Não somos suficientemente fortes nem suficientemente sábios para trilhar este caminho com a nossa própria força e sabedoria. Precisamos da intervenção sobrenatural de Deus nas nossas vidas para encontrarmos o caminho através do deserto de confusão que enfrentamos diariamente: a miríade de decisões, questões, pensamentos, emoções, problemas, direções, sejam elas quais forem.

O rei Salomão escreveu que se dedicou à busca da sabedoria e entregou o seu coração à loucura e à insensatez, e ao prazer e à alegria. Ele seguiu os seus desejos plenamente. Qual foi a sua conclusão? “Tema a Deus e guarda os seus mandamentos; porque este é o dever de todo o homem” (Eclesiastes 12:13b).

Ao acordarmos todas as manhãs, devemos lembrar-nos da nossa dependência de Deus, da Sua presença e da Sua bênção nas nossas vidas. Jesus disse: “Sem mim, nada podeis fazer” (João 15:5), mas comigo, “tudo é possível ao que crê” (Marcos 9:23). Ele diz-nos: “Podeis fazer todas as coisas por meio de Mim, porque Eu vos fortalecerei” (Filipenses 4:13), “pois a vossa força será como os vossos dias” (Deuteronómio 33:25). Mas a chave para o Seu poder, força, sabedoria, alegria e paz nas nossas vidas é aproximarmo-nos d’Ele.

Jesus disse: “Vinde a mim, todos os que estais cansados ​​​​e sobrecarregados, e eu vos aliviarei. Tomai sobre vós o meu jugo e aprendei de mim, porque sou manso e humilde de coração; e encontrareis descanso para as vossas almas. Porque o meu jugo é suave e o meu fardo é leve” (Mateus 11:28-30). Se queremos a Sua ajuda para aliviar o nosso fardo, precisamos de ir até Ele. Precisamos de clamar a Ele logo ao acordar, com o nosso primeiro suspiro.

No Salmo 63, vemos David com um pensamento e uma oração semelhantes.

Salmo 63:1-2 “Ó Deus, tu és o meu Deus; de madrugada te buscarei; a minha alma tem sede de ti; a minha carne te deseja muito numa terra seca e cansada, onde não há água, para ver o teu poder e a tua glória, como te tenho visto no santuário.”

David continua.

Salmo 63:3-6 “Porque a tua benignidade é melhor do que a vida; os meus lábios te louvarão. Assim te bendirei enquanto eu viver; em teu nome levantarei as minhas mãos. A minha alma se fartará, como de tutano e de gordura; e a minha boca te louvará com lábios jubilosos, quando me lembrar de ti no meu leito e meditar em ti nas vigílias da noite.”

David medita e clama a Deus no seu leito de manhã e nas vigílias da noite. É totalmente dependente de Deus para o sustentar e ajudar na sua jornada pela vida. Nós também devemos ser.

Salmo 63:7-8 “Porque tu tens sido o meu auxílio, então, à sombra das tuas asas me alegrarei. A minha alma te segue de perto; a tua destra me sustenta.”

David segue o Senhor de perto. Josué, no seu leito de morte, admoestou os israelitas a “apegarem-se ao Senhor, seu Deus” (Josué 23:8). Elias desafiou-os com: “Até quando ficareis indecisos entre duas opiniões? Se o Senhor é Deus, segui-O; mas, se Baal é Deus, segui-O. E o povo não lhe respondeu uma palavra” (1 Reis 18:21).

Porque é que o povo não respondeu? Porque eram de mente dividida e queriam servir dois deuses ao mesmo tempo. Queriam servir os deuses da cultura local, enquanto, na prática, professavam culto ao verdadeiro Deus, o Deus de Abraão, Isaac e Jacob. Não sigamos o seu mau exemplo, para que não colhamos as mesmas consequências.

Salmo 5:4-6 “Pois tu não és um Deus que se agrada da maldade; o mal não habitará contigo. Os insensatos não permanecerão na tua presença; tu odeias todos os que praticam a iniquidade. Destruirás os que falam mentiras; o Senhor abominará o homem sanguinário e enganador.”

Um dia de julgamento está a chegar para todos nós, mas especialmente para os ímpios que rejeitaram a Deus.

Salmo 5:7 “Mas eu entrarei na tua casa pela abundância da tua misericórdia; e com o teu temor me prostrarei diante do teu santo templo.”

David reconhece a sua dependência da misericórdia do Senhor. Ele anda continuamente no temor do Senhor.

Salmo 5:8 “Guia-me, Senhor, na tua justiça, por causa dos meus inimigos; endireita o teu caminho diante de mim.”

David sabe que não possui justiça própria. É somente a graça de Deus que lhe concede a justiça. Suplica a Deus que lhe mostre o caminho que deve seguir, que o torne claro para ele.

Salmo 5:9 “Porque não há fidelidade na sua boca; o seu interior é pura maldade; a sua garganta é um sepulcro aberto; com a língua lisonjeiam.”

Read More

Does God Hear Your Voice in the Morning? - Psalm 5

 

Psalm 5 - A Psalm of David          Comments by Dennis Edwards

Psalm 5:1-2 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto You will I pray.

God has promised that He will respond to our prayers or calls for help. The Lord has said through Prophet Jeremiah, “Call upon Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you know not,” Jeremiah 33:3. The Lord has also said, “You shall seek Me and find Me, when you shall search for Me, with all your heart,” Jeremiah 29:13.

When King Solomon dedicated the first temple in Jerusalem, the Lord appeared unto him and promised, “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land,” 2 Chronicles 7:14. If we love God, He in turn will love and answer our prayers. “Because we have set our love upon God, therefore will He deliver us: He will set us on high, because we have known His name. We shall call upon Him, and He will answer us: He will be with us in trouble; He will deliver us,” Psalm 91:14-15 edited.

In the New Testament, we have Jesus’ assurance, also, “And whatsoever you shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask anything in My name, I will do it,” John 14:13-14. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you,” John 15:7, “that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you,” John 15:16b. 

In the next chapter Jesus repeats Himself and promises, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever, you shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Until now have you asked nothing in My name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full,” John 16:23b-24.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus also gave the formular for receiving answers to prayer. A-S-K: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened,” Matthew 7:7-8.

Psalm 5:3 My voice shall You hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto You, and will look up.

One of the key verses, if not the key verse of the psalm, reminds us that we should seek God early in the morning before the business of the day begins. If we take time for the morning watch and rise early, God’s voice will come through loud and clear. He will bless the day in front of us, because we have started the day acknowledging Him. It’s like putting, “Seek first the kingdom of God,…and all these things shall be added unto you,” Matthew 6:33, as your guiding principle. 

The first and great commandment is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” Matthew 22:37. If we are seeking God first thing in the morning, we are showing Him that we love Him first, and have Him in first, then everything else will fall into place.

In Jesus’ own life over and over again, we see Him rising up early to spend time with His father. “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed,” Mark 1:35. Before Jesus chose His 12 disciples, He spent the night in prayer. “And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called unto Him His disciples; and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles,” Luke 6:12-13.

At the time of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus led His disciples away to a quite place to rest and have time alone with God. But the people from the cities followed them. Jesus had compassion on them and fed them from five loaves and two fishes. After sending away His disciples, He went and sent the multitudes away, also. Then, “He went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, He was there alone,” Matthew 14:25.

Before His Passion, Jesus, also, spent time in the wee hours of the morning in desperate prayer. God sent an angel to strengthen Him. “And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground,” Luke 22:44.

If Jesus needed time to pray and get alone with God, how much more should we? If Jesus needed time with His father early in the morning before the day started, how much more should we? If Jesus needed time in desperate prayer before major decisions or crisis events, how much more should we?

Psalm 5:4 For You are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with You.

The Lord has “no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn, turn from your evil ways; for why will you die,” Ezekiel 33:11. “God is angry with the wicked every day,” Psalm 7:11b, but God’s hope is that the wicked will repent and turn from his wicked way.

Psalm 5:5-6 The foolish shall not stand in Your sight: You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy them that speak leasing (falsehood or lies): the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

Apostle Pauls tells us, “Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God,” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

Similarly, in Revelation 21:8, we read, “But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” As the Lord has said in the psalm, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God,” Psalm 9:7.

Psalm 5:7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy: and in Your fear will I worship toward Your holy temple.

As usual, David acknowledges his utter dependence on the mercy of God. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are renewed every morning: great is Your faithfulness,” Lamentations 3:22-23.

Psalm 5:8-10 Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. Destroy them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against You.

The Lord through Jeremiah proclaimed, “But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, says the Lord,” Jeremiah 12:17.

Psalm 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in You rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them: let them also that love Your name be joyful in You.

Rejoice, shout for joy, and be joyful; God is over and over again telling us the importance of praise and thanksgiving. In the New Testament, He tells us, “In everything give thanks,” 1 Thessalonians 5:18a, and, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again, I say, Rejoice,” Philippians 4:4.

The Old Testament reminds us, “The joy of the Lord is Your strength,” Nehemiah 8:10c. In the psalms we read that God inhabits the praises of His people, Psalm 22:3. Throughout the psalms we find innumerable reminders that we enter into God’s presence through praise, and thanksgiving. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all you lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing….Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name,” Psalm 100:1,2,4.

Psalm 5:12 For You, Lord, will bless the righteous; with favour will You compass him as with a shield.

In Psalm 32:10-11, we find a similar promise. “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trust in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, you righteous: and shout for joy, all you that are upright in heart.” “Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him,” Proverbs 30:5.

The Lord is our shield and promises to protect us from the evil. “But You, Lord, are a shield for me; my glory and the lifter up of mine head,” Psalm 3:3. In Psalm 28:7, we find again, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped: therefore, my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise Him.”

Lord, help me to seek You first every morning. Help me to walk in praise and thanksgiving for Your wonderful mercies towards me. Shield and protect me, because I trust in You. Amen.

To read another study on Psalm 5 follow the link: https://fightforyourfaith.blogspot.com/2024/06/in-morning-will-i-direct-my-prayer-unto.html

Originally published 11-06-2024.

Read More

In The Morning Will I Direct My Prayer Unto Thee, And Will Look Up - Psalm 5

 

Dennis Edwards

Today we are looking at Psalm 5, another prayer song by David.

Psalm 5:1-2 “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.”

We see David pleading with God to hear his cry. We often pray in the same manner and with the same intent.

Psalm 5:3 “My voice shall You hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.”

When we first get up in the morning our first and foremost reaction should be to call upon the Lord. We are not strong enough or wise enough to make it in our own strength and wisdom. We need the supernatural intervention of God in our lives to find our way through the wilderness of confusion that we face daily: the myriad of decisions, of questions, of thoughts, of emotions, of problems, of directions, whatever they may be.

King Solomon wrote that he immersed himself in the pursuit of wisdom, and gave his heart to know madness and folly, and to enjoy pleasure and mirth. He followed his desires to the full. What was his conclusion? “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13b).

When we awake each morning, we should remind ourselves of our dependence on God and His presence and blessing in our lives. Jesus said, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5), but with Me, “All things are possible to him that believes” (Mark 9:23). He tells us, “You can do all things through Me, because I will strengthen you” (Philippians 4:13), “for as your days, so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25). But the key to His power and strength, and wisdom, and joy, and peace in our lives is our coming unto Him.

Jesus said, “Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). If we want His help to make our burden light, we’ve got to come to Him. We’ve got to cry out to Him first thing in the morning with our first breath.

In Psalm 63 we see David with a similar thought and prayer.

Psalm 63:1-2 “O God, You are My God; early will I seek You: my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see Your power and Your glory, so as I have seen You in the sanctuary.”

David continues.

Psalm 63:3-6 “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus, will I bless You while I live: I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips: when I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the night watches.”

David meditates and cries out to God upon his bed in the morning and in the night watches. He is totally dependent upon God to sustain him and help him in his journey through life. We should be, too.

Psalm 63:7-8 “Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice. My soul follows hard after You: Your right hand upholds me.”

David follows hard after the Lord. Joshua, on his deathbed, admonished the Israelites to “cleave unto the Lord your God” (Joshua 23:8). Elijah challenges them with, “How long will you halt between two opinions? If the Lord be God follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21). 

Why didn’t the people answer? It was because they were double minded and wanted to serve two gods at the same time. They wanted to serve the gods of the culture, while paying lips service to the true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Let us not follow their bad example lest we reap their rewards.

Psalm 5:4-6 “For You are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with You. The foolish shall not stand in Your sight: You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy them that speak lies: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

A day of judgment is coming for all of us, but especially for the wicked who have rejected God.

Psalm 5:7 “But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy: and in Your fear will I worship toward Your holy temple.”

David sees he is dependent on the Lord’s mercy. He walks in the fear of the Lord continually.

Psalm 5:8 “Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face.”

David knows he has no righteousness of his own. It is only God’s grace upon him that gives him righteousness. He pleads to God to show him the way wherein he should walk, to make it plain to him.

Psalm 5:9 “For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.”

How much like today’s world of Facebook and X where we see so much flattery and so much division, so much hatred and anger, indeed, so much wickedness.

Psalm 5:10 “Destroy them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against You.”

It seems today that much of the world has rebelled against God, and all that is called Godly. Much of the world has embraced that which is contrary to God’s desires and thoughts.

Psalm 5:11 “But let all those that put their trust in You rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them: let them also that love Your name be joyful in You.”

God repeatedly calls for us to rejoice in Him, to praise Him, to love Him, to be happy in Him. It God’s joy in our lives that gives us the strength we need for the tasks before us. It’s by maintaining thankfulness throughout our lives that we can find strength to endure life’s difficulties and hardships and avoid the pitfall of bitterness.

Psalm 5:12 “For You, Lord, will bless the righteous; with favour will You compass him as with a shield.”

David ends by reminding us, that if we follow hard after God, and walk in His path, He will be with us and bless us, and be a shield to protect us from evil. That is our desire, Lord. Keep us from the evil.

To read an additional study from a different angle follow the link: https://fightforyourfaith.blogspot.com/2024/11/does-god-hear-your-voice-in-morning.html

Originally published 06-05.2024.

Read More