Psalm 25, Verses 16-22

Continuation of  this Psalm of Leigh

This is my conversation with God the new day dawns. I am, yet again, asking God for His guidance, and pardon from my sin. And I am thankful that He always hears and answers our prayers. As followers of Christ, we all need to believe that God will do these things for each of us.

 Lord, look at me and have mercy; for I am all alone and in big trouble.

 The many stresses within my mind have grown so large they overwhelm me. Father, bring me out of all this stress, worry, and fear.

 Take a good look at all my pain - physical, mental and emotional - and forgive me of my many sins.

 Do You see all those who are enemies of my soul, both man and spirit? See how fiercely they hate me!

 Place Your hedge of protection all around me to guard me, body and soul, that I am not put to shame; for I have placed all of my trust in You.

 May integrity and virtue keep me safe and secure as I wait on and for You.

 And rescue Your church, the Israel of God, out of all of their adversities.

 In Jesus name,

 Amen.

Psalm 25, Verses 8-15

Continuation of  this Psalm of Leigh

This is my conversation with God as this day dawns anew. I am, yet again, asking God for His guidance, and pardon from my sin. And I am thankful that He always hears and answers our prayers. As followers of Christ, we all need to believe that God will do these things for each of us.

Our God is fair and just, therefore He directs His lost children back to His righteous paths; and He leads the meek and humble, step by step, in ways that are right.
 All of the Lord's ways are full of mercy and Truth; He is always loving and faithful to those who follow after them.
 I know that I don't always follow after You as closely as I should, Lord. Please forgive me, even if it is just for the sake of Your holy name.
 Lord, I know that You will direct those men and women - young and old - who fear, respect and honor You in the path that You have chosen for each of them. Their souls will be filled with your peace; and their spiritual children will inherit the earth. For all of Your secrets are hidden deep in their heart of hearts. You have confided with them from the beginning of Your relationship with them. You have shown them Your covenant which they have accepted. They have added their names along side those who have come before.
 Lord, may You always be the focus of my life. May my eyes ever be looking on Your face. For You alone have, can and will ever continue to rescue me from the snares of our enemy.
 I love You, Lord Jesus!
 Amen.

Psalm 25, Verses 1-7

A Psalm of David & Leigh

A conversation with God.

David is praying, and I with him, asking God for defense, 

guidance, and pardon from sin.

As followers of Christ, we know that God will do these things for us, also.

God's Defense is better than ANY castle walls!

Loving Lord I lift, I give up, my soul to You.

Father, I have placed all of my trust in You.

You will not allow me to bring shame upon You.

Neither will You allow my enemies, or Your enemies,

to triumph over me. No, they will find no joy in causing me harm.

Lord, I know that none who have placed their trust, their very hope,

in You will ever be put to shame. But those who act unfaithfully, yes all deceitful men and women, will stand before You in their shame.

Show me the direction You would have my life to take; 

help me to see the course my life should take.

Teach me to stay on Your Highway of and to Holiness.

Guide me into Your truth and instruct me, Lord. For You are my Savior, 

the very source of my life's existence.
I know You remember all of your lovingkindness and tender mercies,
and so do I. For they go back to the very beginning;
back to the first family and the Garden.
But in Your remembering, please remember not the sins of my childhood,
nor any of the rebellious acts that I have committed since ... please forget, as your merciful nature allows.

Psalm Twenty Four

A Psalm David wrote which declares that everything, yes EVERYTHING, belongs to God.

The earth, and all that it contains, belongs to You Lord. 

For You created it. 

You formed the Seas and laid down their boundaries.

You built it anew after Noah's flood.

That said, who may climb Your holy mountain, Lord?

Who can stand up straight in the presence of Your Holiness?

Only those who are righteous ... who have a pure heart,

a clear conscience and hands empty of malice and evil.

Men and women who will not even think to break Your law.

These shall be blessed by Your hands;

for they have received, and accepted, Your Salvation.

They have victory in all their ways!

These are my children, oh Jacob. My very seed, oh Israel.

They that seek my face, my favor ... and I bless them for it.

Stop, take a moment to dwell on all of this. 

Listen! Bring yourselves back to attention, 

you keepers of the Way. 

Come to full conscientiousness, full attentiveness, 

All you leaders - and members - of the church. 

Let the King of glory come in.

Who is this all-glorious King? 

The Lord God, your most formidable adversary. 

The Lord God, 

a valiant and forceful champion of and for His people.

Listen! Bring yourselves back to attention, 

you keepers of the Way. 

Come to full conscientiousness, full attentiveness, 

All you leaders - and members - of the church.  

Let the King of glory come in.

Who is this all-glorious King? 

The Lord God, Ruler of heaven and earth; 

Head of The Church.

The Lord God, Leader of all the angel armies.

Stop, take a moment to dwell on all of this. 

Amen!

Psalm Twenty Three

A Psalm of David

Herein King David sees God as a caring Shepherd and dependable Guide. As He is our only Hope for eternal life and protection, we must follow Him and obey His commandments.

Lord, because You are my shepherd,

There is nothing I want or need.

You make me a bed in lush, green meadows.

You make sure they have cool, calm and shaded pools

That I can drink from.

You refresh me - body, soul, and spirit;

All the while guiding me to follow righteous roads.

Though the road goes through dark and dangerous places,

And death seems eminent, 

I will not be afraid, for You are ever beside me.

By Your Authority, Power, and Support I am protected;

This brings me great comfort.

From the beginning of time, 

You invited me to Your table.

With a great display, You laid it out before

All those who would do me harm.

You chose and ordained me, 

Anointing me with the Oil of Your Holy Spirit.

So full of Your Spirit am I,

That it flows forth from my very being.

I will chase after Your goodness,

Mercy, and lovingkindness

all of my days.

Lord, please reside within my heart

For all eternity!

Amen.

Psalm Twenty Two, Verses 16-31

A Psalm of David

For the Music Director. Set to the Tune of "The Doe of the Morning."

David wrote this as a prayer. It is meant to lift us from our depths of great suffering to the highest levels of joys. David believed that God would deliver him from his despair, even though all of his friends had deserted him and it appeared that God had also. No, David continued to look to that future day when God would rule over all the earth.

• 16. A pack of evil men - thugs, if you will - has surrounded me like a pack of wild and vicious dogs. They have trapped me, piercing my hands and feet.
• 17. All of my bones are visible beneath my skin. And the people stand around, gawking at me and gloating.
• 18. They divide my clothes among them, but they shoot dice to gamble for my robe.
• 19. Oh Lord, do not go far away. God, You are my strength, so come quickly to save me.
• 20. Father, please rescue me from this implement of death. Save Your Begotten One from the destruction of these wild dogs.
• 21. Deliver me from the lion's mouth, rescue me from this herd of wild oxen, for my death is imminent without You.
• 22. Regardless, I will shout Your name among my brothers and sisters. Ever will I sing Your praises among the congregation of believers.
• 23.This is the message I will shout; If you fear the Lord God, praise Him! All of God's Israel, give Him the honor and respect He deserves.
• 24. For He has never let you down or looked the other way when you call on Him ... when your enemies kicked you to the ground. Nor has He left you to go off on a tangent ... to do His own thing. NO, He has been right at your side, listening ... waiting to hear your every need.
• 25. Here in the midst of the congregation of believers, I will praise You, for You fill me with songs of great joy. My songs of praise fulfill of all the vows I made before you in the darkness.
  
• 26. If you are poor, humble, meek and/or lowly ... whatever your need, if you diligently seek the Lord, you will be satisfied. And in that satisfaction, you will find your voice raised in joyful praise.
• 27. From the four corners of the earth, people will remember the Lord and turn to Him. The whole world will bow before the Lord, even those who had walked away from Him in years past,
• 28. for the earth belongs to Him ... He rules it all.
• 29. The rich, powerful and famous will bow before Him - worshiping! The poor and worthless - those who seem insignificant - will also kneel before Him in worship, too. No one can save their own soul. 
• 30. Our children - and all posterity - will serve the Lord.
• They will declare His righteousness so that all who ever will live will know His story ... His salvation message. And that He ALWAYS keeps His promises.

Psalm Twenty Two, Verses 1-15

A Psalm of David

For the Music Director. Set to the Tune of "The Doe of the Morning."

David wrote this as a prayer. It is meant to lift us from our depths of great suffering to the highest levels of joys. David believed that God would deliver him from his despair, even though all of his friends had deserted him and it appeared that God had also. No, David continued to look to that future day when God would rule over all the earth.

1. Lord ... oh my Lord! Why have You left me so alone and desolate? Why are You so far from helping me, removed from hearing the deepest distress filled cries of my heart?
2. Oh Lord, I cry out in deep anguish all day long, but I hear no reply. All through the darkness of night I toss and turn in my despair, but still, I get no response from You.
   
3. But You who dwell in the praises of Your people, Israel, are Holy, my Lord.
4. It was You our forefathers trusted implicitly. They trusted You because You delivered them when they were in need.
5. They cried out to You over and over; they trusted You and You never disappointed them.
6. But I am not worthy to call on Your name; for I am lower than the dust on a worm's belly. I am less than a man. for I am full of disgrace, despised by my companions ... my peers.
7. They all make fun of me; throwing their insults, and shaking their heads, they make faces and laugh me to scorn.
8. You know, he trusted in God, he believes that God will deliver him. So, let God save him since he puts all of his trust, his delight, in Him.
   
9. But I do trust You, Lord; because it was You who brought me out of my mother's womb. You put this faith within me while I was suckling at my mother's breast. 
10. From my very first breath, I had to put my trust in You. You made me know that You alone were worthy of that trust, and since that day You have been my God.
11. Then trouble moved in next door. Now You seem so far away, and I need help!
12. My enemies, like a herd of raging bulls, surround me. 
13. Their heads are lowered and bobbing, their horns pointed menacingly in my direction. They paw at the ground and flair their nostrils as if ready to stampede. Like roaring lions, they prepare to tear apart their prey with their mouths open wide for the kill.
14. I am done in. My life is poured out; like a water bucket that has been kicked over and the has o water flowed out onto the ground. My body is spent; I feel as if all of my joints are dislocated. My heart is destroyed; it is as if it has melted within my chest, like wax in the cauldron is melted before being made into candles for light.
15. My strength is gone, it is as dried up as an old bone. I can barely call for help, for my tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth. You may as well throw me out on the dust pile with the trash, for I am all but dead.