Day 94 - April 4, 2025

Scripture: John 8:48-59

48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”

49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”

52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. (NIV)

Observation:

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.” (John 8:58-59) Jesus is the eternal Son Of God, who existed before creation.

Application:

As eternally God’s Son, Jesus is also Creator God along with the Father and the Holy Spirit. John tells us earlier in his Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3)

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God and God the Son, we thank you for your unconditional agape love for us. We thank you for taking on human flesh and becoming our atoning and perfect sacrifice. Help us to obey your words that lead to everlasting life. Help us to be faithful followers of you so that others might come to know you as their God. All this is to glorify the Father by the active participation of the Holy Spirit in our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Day 93 - April 3, 2025

Scripture: John 8:31-47

31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.”

39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.”

“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”

42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (NIV)

Observation:

Jesus said to those who were his followers, “…If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) But those in the crowd who had no room in their hearts for Jesus’ teaching argued with Jesus that because they were descendants of Abraham, they have never been slaves, so they would not need to be set free. Jesus was speaking to them about spiritual things of God, yet they could not comprehend as they had closed their minds to the truth.

Application:

Jesus is who he says he is, The Son of Man and the Son of God. His words are true, and we can follow him with confidence for Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life that we should be following.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, help us to be open to your teaching, so that we might be set free of our sins and be free to follow you. Show us your ways and guide us by your Word and your Holy Spirit who is always with us. Convict us where we need correction and reconcile us to yourself, that we might be faithful followers of the living God. Amen.

Day 92 - April 2, 2025

Scripture: John 8:21-30

Dispute Over Who Jesus Is.

21 Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”

22 This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”

23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

25 “Who are you?” they asked.

“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. 26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”

27 They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” 30 Even as he spoke, many believed in him.

Observation:

Jesus speaks of his own death in a way that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law did not understand. He said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:28-29)

Application:

Jesus is who he said he is, the Son of Man and the Son of God. Whoever believes in him as Messiah, has forgiveness of sins and life eternal. The “Son of Man” is a reference to Daniel 7:13-14, which describes the Son of Man, saying: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Jesus is the Son of Man described in Daniel 7:13-14.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for our salvation which is ours by believing in you as Messiah, The Son of Man from Daniel 7:13-14. Thank you for forgiving our sins and for showing ius The Way, The Truth and The Life in which we should follow. Bless us as your people to be faithful followers of the Living God. Amen.

Day 91 - April 1, 2025

Scripture: John 18:12-20

12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

Peter’s First Denial

15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. (NIV)

Observation:

Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life, he speaks openly and there is no deceit in him. He is an open book of truth. When Jesus was on trial about his teachings, he said, “I have spoken openly to the world, …I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.”

Application:

Truth never needs to be hidden. It should be spoken openly without restraint in the marketplaces, in the courtyards, in places of worship, on the hilltops. Truth should be open to everyone at all times. Jesus spoke plainly to the world and in the open and we should do the same.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help us to speak the truth at all times and in all places, in the open as you did. Help us not to fear the world, or what people think about us, for truth will set us free in you. Amen.

Day 90

Scripture: Psalm 143

A Psalm of David

Lord, hear my prayer,
    listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
    come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
    for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
    like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
    I meditate on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
6 I spread out my hands to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.[a]

7 Answer me quickly, Lord;
    my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
    lead me on level ground.

11 For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
    in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
    destroy all my foes,
    for I am your servant.

Observation:

“Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” (Psalm 143:8b-10)

Application:

Like David, let us allow the Lord to show us the way in which we should go, trusting in the Lord.

Prayer:

Lord God, we place our trust in you, the Living Lord, show us and teach us your ways that we might walk in them. Help us to trust you in every circumstance that we might find ourselves.

Day 89 - March 30, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 139

For the Director of Music, A Psalm of David

1 You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting. (NIV)

Observation:

David, the psalmist had sojourned so long with God that he came to know that God knows us fully. He writes: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) David realizes that God has always known David’s inmost thoughts even his sinful thoughts and desires. David decides why not invite God in to shape his paths that he may walk in God’s ways leading him to eternal righteousness.

Application:

Why not invite God into our thoughts and everyday actions. Like David, let us invite God to shape our days and enlighten our paths. Allow God’s word and the presence of his Holy Spirit to mold us and shape us after God’ way, that we might dwell in the hous of the Lord forever.

Prayer:

Lord, teach us your ways and guide our decisions that we might honor you in everything we think, say and do. Allow us to be vessels of your love and grace that others might come to know you and love you. Amen.

Day 88 - March 29, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 131

A Psalm of Ascents of David

1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
    my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
    or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
    I am like a weaned child with its mother;
    like a weaned child I am content.

3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord
    both now and forevermore.

Observation:

A very short Psalm of Ascents, written by David who reminds Israel to place their hope in the Lord, always. He writes, “…put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 131:3b) As David counsels Israel to place their hope in the Lord, he also speaks to us, the People of God.

Application:

David speaks with authority, for the Lord came to his aid on numerous occasions throughout his life. Despite David's grievous sins, God forgave him when he approached God with a sorrowful and contrite heart, placing his hope in the Lord, and we can do the same. Therefore, hope in the Lord. Maintain a close relationship with the Lord your God, and you will find favor in His eyes.

Prayer:

O Lord, our God, we come before you aware that we have fallen far short of your best intentions for our lives. Our sin separates us from you, but you are a forgiving and merciful God. Cleanse our thoughts and minds and forgive us of our sinfulness, that we might place all our hope in you now and into eternity. Amen.

Day 87 - March 28, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 130

A Psalm of Ascents

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2     Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
    to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love
    and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
    from all their sins. (NIV)

Observation:

The psalmists celebrates that our God is a forgiving and merciful God. Who could stans without his forgiveness? The psalmist writes: “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” (Psalm 130:3-4)

Application:

With God’s forgiveness and mercy, we are thankful, and are enabled to do good things out of reverence for the Lord. So, do good things out of reverence for the Lord who redeemed you to do good works in his name.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your mercy and your forgiveness, for we have fallen short of your best intentions for our lives. But, with your forgiveness and mercy we are remade in your image and are enabled to do good things in your name. If we remain in you, you have promised to remain in us and we will be fruitful, all to your Glory. Amen!

Day 86 - March 27, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 127

A Psalm of Ascents of Soloman

1 Unless the Lord builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
    for he grants sleep to those he loves.

3 Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court. (NIV)

Observation:

The wisdom of Soloman is on display when the psalmist says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) People make plans, but God’s plans prevail.

Application:

When we abide in the Lord, the Lord will abide in us and we will be fruitful.

Prayer:

Lord God Almighty, thank you for our gift of faith in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for the gift of Your Holy Spirit who remains in us to remind us of the Way, the Truth and the Life exemplified by your Son. Help us to remain in you every day of our lives that we might always be faithful and fruitful towards the building of your kingdom. Lead us and use us a vessels of your grace, all to your Glory. Amen.

Day 85 - March 26, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 125

A Psalm of Ascents

1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
    which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so the Lord surrounds his people
    both now and forevermore.

3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain
    over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
    their hands to do evil.

4 Lord, do good to those who are good,
    to those who are upright in heart.
5 But those who turn to crooked ways
    the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.

Observation:

The Psalmist knows that the Lord can be trusted at all times. He writes: “ Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 125:1-2)

Application:

As we trust in the Lord, with all our heart, no matter what circumstance we may be facing, we will not be shaken for the Lord is our ever-present help at all times.

Prayer:

Lord, you never promise that we will not have trials or even suffering, but your ever-present help is always with us as we journey through our lives. We know that we can trust you in every circumstance and that you have us in the grip of your amazing grace both now and forever. Amen.

Day 84 - March 25, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 124

A Psalm of Ascent of David

1 If the Lord had not been on our side—
    let Israel say. 2 if the Lord had not been on our side
    when people attacked us,
3 they would have swallowed us alive
    when their anger flared against us;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
    the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
    would have swept us away.

6 Praise be to the Lord,
    who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
    from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
    and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

Observation:

David writes about the Lord’s protection and deliverance saying, “if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us… Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:2-3, 8)

Application:

“If God is with us who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) Our God is always with us and will never forsake us, yet we need to be living our lives in the will of God. If we are opposed to God’s will, will God battle against his own will for us? No, we need to walk circumspectly in the world and be aware of the enemy’s snares. We need to be on our Lord’s side. We need to choose God!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, you are our rescuer and redeemer, and ever-present help in times of trouble. You have reconciled us to yourself, but you also want us to live into the grace that you have provided for us. You want us to live transformed lives that we might not only be recipients of your grace, but be extenders of your grace, all to your Glory. Amen.

Day 83 - March 24, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 123

1 Lord, I look up to you,
    up to heaven, where you rule.
2 As a servant depends on his master,
    as a maid depends on her mistress,
so we will I keep looking to you, O Lord our God,
    until you have mercy on us.

3 Be merciful to us, Lord, be merciful;
    we have been treated with so much contempt.
4 We have been mocked too long by the rich
    and scorned by proud oppressors.

Observation:

Today’s Psalmist, like yesterday looks to the heavens for his aide. He looks to the Only God. He writes: “Lord, I look up to you, up to heaven, where you rule.” (Psalm 123:1)

Application:

Where do you look for help? Can you say like our psalmist, that you look to the Lord for your help?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, you are constantly with us through your Holy Spirit. I will look to your word with the help of your Spirit that I might walk in the ways that lead to life eternal. I will look to Jesus for my example of how I should live my life, for Jesus you are the way, the truth and the life. Amen.

Day 82 - March 23, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 121

1 I look to the mountains;
    where will my help come from?
2 My help will come from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let you fall;
    your protector is always awake.

4 The protector of Israel
    never dozes or sleeps.
5 The Lord will guard you;
    he is by your side to protect you.
6 The sun will not hurt you during the day,
    nor the moon during the night.

7 The Lord will protect you from all danger;
    he will keep you safe.
8 He will protect you as you come and go
    now and forever.

Observation:

Psalm 121 is one of the psalms in a section of the psalms called Psalms of Ascents. These psalms were most probably used by pilgrims on the journey to one of the major festivals. The Temple in Jerusalem was built on Mount Zion, so a pilgrim needed to ascend as they journeyed toward the Temple of the Lord. The Psalmist here asks and answers his own question, “I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Application:

Where does our help come from? Often times we seek help from all sorts of places, but the psalmist today reminds us that we need not look further than our God who created the heaven and the earth. Our God is able to help us in all circumstances in life. So, let us trust in the Lord with all our mind, heart and soul. For our God truly is our Deliverer.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, there is no problem too hard for you, no hill too high, no valley too low. Your love for us and your Spirit always remains with us on our journey. Help us to be ever conscious of your presence in our lives, and help us to honor you in all that we say and do. Amen.

Day 81 - March 22, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 116

1  I love the Lord, because he hears me;
    he listens to my prayers.
2 He listens to me
    every time I call to him.
3 The danger of death was all around me;
    the horrors of the grave closed in on me;
    I was filled with fear and anxiety.
4 Then I called to the Lord,
    “I beg you, Lord, save me!”

5 The Lord is merciful and good;
    our God is compassionate.
6 The Lord protects the helpless;
    when I was in danger, he saved me.
7 Be confident, my heart,
    because the Lord has been good to me.

8 The Lord saved me from death;
    he stopped my tears
    and kept me from defeat.
9 And so I walk in the presence of the Lord
    in the world of the living.
10 I kept on believing, even when I said,
    “I am completely crushed,”
11 even when I was afraid and said,
    “No one can be trusted.”

12 What can I offer the Lord
    for all his goodness to me?
13 I will bring a wine offering to the Lord,
    to thank him for saving me.
14 In the assembly of all his people
    I will give him what I have promised.

15 How painful it is to the Lord
    when one of his people dies!
16 I am your servant, Lord;
    I serve you just as my mother did.
You have saved me from death.
17 I will give you a sacrifice of thanksgiving
    and offer my prayer to you.
18-19 In the assembly of all your people,
    in the sanctuary of your Temple in Jerusalem,
    I will give you what I have promised.

Praise the Lord!

Observation:

The psalmist expresses his continual faith in the Lord who has helped in multiple circumstances in life. He writes: “The Lord is merciful and good; our God is compassionate. The Lord protects the helpless; when I was in danger, he saved me. Be confident, my heart, because the Lord has been good to me.” (Psalm 116:5-7)

Application:

One of the best ways to praise the Lord is to remember his mercy and goodness to us in past circumstances. When you really think about it, the great celebrations in faith are acts of remembrance like the Passover, like Communion, where we remember and are grateful to our God. The psalmist’s faith is fortified when he remembers God’s deliverance in his own circumstances of life. His appropriate response to God’s mercy is to bring an offering and proclaim God’s acts of compassion in the midst of the assembly. Our blessings are not for us alone but should be shared so that others might hear and know of God’s amazing love and provision.

Prayer:

Lord God, we remember your hand of grace and your ever-present help in times of testing and trouble. Thank you for the faith that you have given us and help us to increase our faith in you as we remember every act of provision, mercy, and love. We are especially thankful for our salvation in your Son, our Lord and Redeemer. help us to always remember you and your presence in our lives through your Holy Spirit. Help us to live a life of praising you on a continual basis that others might know of your amazing love and grace. Amen!

Day 80 - March 21, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 115

1 To you alone, O Lord, to you alone,
    and not to us, must glory be given
    because of your constant love and faithfulness.

2 Why should the nations ask us,
    “Where is your God?”
3 Our God is in heaven;
    he does whatever he wishes.
4 Their gods are made of silver and gold,
    formed by human hands.
5 They have mouths, but cannot speak,
    and eyes, but cannot see.
6 They have ears, but cannot hear,
    and noses, but cannot smell.
7 They have hands, but cannot feel,
    and feet, but cannot walk;
    they cannot make a sound.
8 May all who made them and who trust in them
    become like the idols they have made.

9 Trust in the Lord, you people of Israel.
    He helps you and protects you.
10 Trust in the Lord, you priests of God.
    He helps you and protects you.
11 Trust in the Lord, all you that worship him.
    He helps you and protects you.

12 The Lord remembers us and will bless us;
    he will bless the people of Israel
    and all the priests of God.
13 He will bless everyone who honors him,
    the great and the small alike.

14 May the Lord give you children—
    you and your descendants!
15 May you be blessed by the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

16 Heaven belongs to the Lord alone,
    but he gave the earth to us humans.
17 The Lord is not praised by the dead,
    by any who go down to the land of silence.
18 But we, the living, will give thanks to him
    now and forever.

Praise the Lord!

Observation:

In Psalm 115 the psalmist makes a contrast between the One True God and gods (idols) created by people. He writes that their gods have eyes yet cannot see, ears yet cannot hear, and mouths yet cannot speak. He encourages us to worship only the One God saying: “Trust in the Lord, all you that worship him. He helps you and protects you. the Lord remembers us and will bless us…. He will bless everyone who honors him, the great and the small alike.” (Psalm 115:11-13)

Application:

Although we cannot see God, we worship God who is seen in all of God’s creation. We can experience our God through the Bible and through every believer who trust in him. As forgiven and reconciled children of God through our Lord and Savior, Jesus, we are given the Holy Spirit that seals us for our inheritance with God. We experience God through the Holy Spirit in ourselves as we trust in God and believe in Jesus.

Prayer:

Lord God, you are the one true God. You have promised us to never leave us or forsake us. We know that we can rest and trust in you for You alone are God and there is no other. Help us to experience you through eyes of faith and help us to follow your son Jesus that we may honor you with ur daily lives. Amen.

Day 79 - March 20, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 102

1 Listen to my prayer, O Lord,
    and hear my cry for help!
2 When I am in trouble,
    don't turn away from me!
Listen to me,
    and answer me quickly when I call!

3 My life is disappearing like smoke;
    my body is burning like fire.
4 I am beaten down like dry grass;
    I have lost my desire for food.
5 I groan aloud;
    I am nothing but skin and bones.
6 I am like a wild bird in the desert,
    like an owl in abandoned ruins.
7 I lie awake;
    I am like a lonely bird on a housetop.
8 All day long my enemies insult me;
    those who mock me use my name in cursing.

9-10 Because of your anger and fury,
    ashes are my food,
    and my tears are mixed with my drink.
You picked me up and threw me away.
11 My life is like the evening shadows;
    I am like dry grass.

12 But you, O Lord, are king forever;
    all generations will remember you.
13 You will rise and take pity on Zion;
    the time has come to have mercy on her;
    this is the right time.
14 Your servants love her,
    even though she is destroyed;
they have pity on her,
    even though she is in ruins.

15 The nations will fear the Lord;
    all the kings of the earth will fear his power.
16 When the Lord rebuilds Zion,
    he will reveal his greatness.
17 He will hear his forsaken people
    and listen to their prayer.

18 Write down for the coming generation what the Lord has done,
    so that people not yet born will praise him.
19 The Lord looked down from his holy place on high,
    he looked down from heaven to earth.
20 He heard the groans of prisoners
    and set free those who were condemned to die.
21 And so his name will be proclaimed in Zion,
    and he will be praised in Jerusalem
22     when nations and kingdoms come together
    and worship the Lord.

23 The Lord has made me weak while I am still young;
    he has shortened my life.
24 O God, do not take me away now
    before I grow old.

O Lord, you live forever;
25 long ago you created the earth,
    and with your own hands you made the heavens.
26 They will disappear, but you will remain;
    they will all wear out like clothes.
You will discard them like clothes,
    and they will vanish.
27 But you are always the same,
    and your life never ends.
28 Our children will live in safety,
    and under your protection
    their descendants will be secure.

Observation:

The psalmist cries out to the Lord in desperation, he looks to God not only to answer his prayer but to do it quickly. He writes: “Listen to my prayer, O Lord, and hear my cry for help!  When I am in trouble, don't turn away from me! Listen to me, and answer me quickly when I call!” (Psalm 102:1-2) Don’ t we all want God to hear our prayers and answer them quickly? Yet the psalmist also realizes that he is but a whisper while God is Creator God who lives forever.

Application:

Knowing that God is Creator God, we should approach his Throne of Grace with the understanding that even to pray to God, to have the life and breath that God created in us, is a miracle in itself. To have the brain God gave us to acknowledge God in the heavenlies is remarkable.

Therefore, when we approach our God in prayer, it is helpful to understand our place in respect to our Holy Lord. We should be humble and contrite as we pray expectantly. But as the psalmist states, our God is a God who hears our prayers. He writes: “The Lord looked down from his holy place on high, he looked down from heaven to earth. He heard the groans of prisoners and set free those who were condemned to die.” (Psalm 102:19-20) Our God hears our prayers. So pray.

Prayer:

Lord, we approach your Throne of Grace today, knowing that we are all unworthy of your love. Yet, you sent your son Jesus to earth to set the captives free from a life of sin and death. The victory is already ours in your salvation. Help us to have an eternal perspective of your answered prayer. Help us to realize that you have already set us free and therefore we should live in to that freedom with love and grace for the orhers in our lives that they may come to know and to love you as Redeemer God. Amen.

Day 78 - March 19, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 91

1 Whoever goes to the Lord for safety,
    whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty,
2 can say to him,
    “You are my defender and protector.
    You are my God; in you I trust.”
3 He will keep you safe from all hidden dangers
    and from all deadly diseases.
4 He will cover you with his wings;
    you will be safe in his care;
    his faithfulness will protect and defend you.
5 You need not fear any dangers at night
    or sudden attacks during the day
6     or the plagues that strike in the dark
    or the evils that kill in daylight.

7 A thousand may fall dead beside you,
    ten thousand all around you,
    but you will not be harmed.
8 You will look and see
    how the wicked are punished.

9 You have made the Lord your defender,
    the Most High your protector,
10 and so no disaster will strike you,
    no violence will come near your home.
11 God will put his angels in charge of you
    to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
    to keep you from hurting your feet on the stones.
13 You will trample down lions and snakes,
    fierce lions and poisonous snakes.

14 God says, “I will save those who love me
    and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord.
15 When they call to me, I will answer them;
    when they are in trouble, I will be with them.
    I will rescue them and honor them.
16 I will reward them with long life;
    I will save them.”

Observation:

The writer of Psalm 91 places his trust in the Lord, seeking protection under the wings of the Lord. He writes: “God says, “I will save those who love me and will protect those who acknowledge me as Lord. When they call to me, I will answer them; when they are in trouble, I will be with them. I will rescue them and honor them.” (Psalm 91:14-15)

Application:

Psalm 91 celebrates God’s love for God’s people. It does not say that God’s people will not have trouble in their lives, but it says, “…when they are in trouble, I will be with them.” (Psalm 91:15a) We know that God promises to be with those who believe in him, and he will never leave them nor will he ever forsake them. Therefore, we can be confident in all that we do because God is with us in every circumstance.

Prayer:

Lord, help us to remember your love and faithfulness as we seek the shelter of your wings. Grant us the trust in you for all the circumstances of our lives. Help us to be like the psalmist, professing and proclaiming your salvation and care so that others might come to know and love you. Amen.

Day 77 - March 18, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 90

1 O Lord, you have always been our home.
2 Before you created the hills
    or brought the world into being,
    you were eternally God,
    and will be God forever.

3 You tell us to return to what we were;
    you change us back to dust.
4 A thousand years to you are like one day;
    they are like yesterday, already gone,
    like a short hour in the night.
5 You carry us away like a flood;
    we last no longer than a dream.
We are like weeds that sprout in the morning,
6     that grow and burst into bloom,
    then dry up and die in the evening.

7 We are destroyed by your anger;
    we are terrified by your fury.
8 You place our sins before you,
    our secret sins where you can see them.

9 Our life is cut short by your anger;
    it fades away like a whisper.
10 Seventy years is all we have—
    eighty years, if we are strong;
yet all they bring us is trouble and sorrow;
    life is soon over, and we are gone.

11 Who has felt the full power of your anger?
    Who knows what fear your fury can bring?
12 Teach us how short our life is,
    so that we may become wise.

13 How much longer will your anger last?
    Have pity, O Lord, on your servants!
14 Fill us each morning with your constant love,
    so that we may sing and be glad all our life.
15 Give us now as much happiness as the sadness you gave us
    during all our years of misery.
16 Let us, your servants, see your mighty deeds;
    let our descendants see your glorious might.
17 Lord our God, may your blessings be with us.
    Give us success in all we do!

Observation:

The author of Psalm 90 is reflective of our short lives in comparison to our Eternal God. He writes: “O Lord, you have always been our home. Before you created the hills or brought the world into being, you were eternally God, and will be God forever. You tell us to return to what we were; you change us back to dust.” (Psalm 90:1-3) The psalmists realizes that we are God’s workmanship and our lives are like “…weeds that sprout in the morning, that grow and burst into bloom, then dry up and die in the evening.) (Psalm 90:5b-6)

Application:

Since God is already our eternal home as the psalmist reveals, we should align ourselves and our thinking with our God who created us for an eternal relationship with God’s Self. We make plans, but God is Forever God and his will for our lives is always best. Why not live our lives in the shelter of God’s wings and allow God’s eternal word to shape our lives and light our paths. Then, we will rest in his love and care.

Prayer:

O Lord people make plans, but you know the plans you have made for us. Plans to prosper us and give us a hope and a future. No matter how long we live our mortal lives, be it 70, 80, 90 years or more, our true home is in our eternal relationship with you. Grant that our children and their children and all our descendants might know and appreciate your eternal love and care, for you are our true home. Amen!

Day 76 - March17, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 89:1-18

O Lord, I will always sing of your constant love;
    I will proclaim your faithfulness forever.
2 I know that your love will last for all time,
    that your faithfulness is as permanent as the sky.
3 You said, “I have made a covenant with the man I chose;
    I have promised my servant David,
4 ‘A descendant of yours will always be king;
    I will preserve your dynasty forever.’”

5 The heavens sing of the wonderful things you do;
    the holy ones sing of your faithfulness, Lord.
6 No one in heaven is like you, Lord;
    none of the heavenly beings is your equal.
7 You are feared in the council of the holy ones;
    they all stand in awe of you.

8 Lord God Almighty, none is as mighty as you;
    in all things you are faithful, O Lord.
9 You rule over the powerful sea;
    you calm its angry waves.
10 You crushed the monster Rahab and killed it;
    with your mighty strength you defeated your enemies.
11 Heaven is yours, the earth also;
    you made the world and everything in it.
12 You created the north and the south;
    Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon sing to you for joy.
13 How powerful you are!
    How great is your strength!
14 Your kingdom is founded on righteousness and justice;
    love and faithfulness are shown in all you do.

15 How happy are the people who worship you with songs,
    who live in the light of your kindness!
16 Because of you they rejoice all day long,
    and they praise you for your goodness.
17 You give us great victories;
    in your love you make us triumphant.
18 You, O Lord, chose our protector;
    you, the Holy God of Israel, gave us our king.

Observation:

Today’s Psalmist is happy in The Lord of Hosts. He writes: “How powerful you are! How great is your strength! Your kingdom is founded on righteousness and justice; love and faithfulness are shown in all you do. How happy are the people who worship you with songs, who live in the light of your kindness!” (Psalm 89:13-15) The psalmist is joyful in justice, love and faithfulness of the Lord who is powerful beyond all power.

Application:

We should be like today’s psalmist, singing praises to our God whose kingdom is founded on righteousness, justice, love and faithfulness. Our God is worthy of our constant praise, and as we praise and trust in our Lord, we become joyful in all circumstances. because the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Prayer:

Lord, we will sing praises to you in the heights; we will sing praises to you in the valleys. we will sing praises to you in times of trouble because you are strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble. Because you are our Lord, our joy is complete in You who is trustworthy in all circumstances. Let your presence in our lives be our joy. Amen.

Day 75 - March 16, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 88

Lord God, my savior, I cry out all day,
    and at night I come before you.
2 Hear my prayer;
    listen to my cry for help!

3 So many troubles have fallen on me
    that I am close to death.
4 I am like all others who are about to die;
    all my strength is gone.
5 I am abandoned among the dead;
    I am like the slain lying in their graves,
those you have forgotten completely,
    who are beyond your help.
6 You have thrown me into the depths of the tomb,
    into the darkest and deepest pit.
7 Your anger lies heavy on me,
    and I am crushed beneath its waves.

8 You have caused my friends to abandon me;
    you have made me repulsive to them.
I am closed in and cannot escape;
9     my eyes are weak from suffering.
Lord, every day I call to you
    and lift my hands to you in prayer.

10 Do you perform miracles for the dead?
    Do they rise up and praise you?
11 Is your constant love spoken of in the grave
    or your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
12 Are your miracles seen in that place of darkness
    or your goodness in the land of the forgotten?

13 Lord, I call to you for help;
    every morning I pray to you.
14 Why do you reject me, Lord?
    Why do you turn away from me?
15 Ever since I was young, I have suffered and been near death;
    I am worn out from the burden of your punishments.
16 Your furious anger crushes me;
    your terrible attacks destroy me.
17 All day long they surround me like a flood;
    they close in on me from every side.
18 You have made even my closest friends abandon me,
    and darkness is my only companion.

Observation:

There are many psalms of lament where the psalmist cries out to God because of either a physical condition or circumstance the psalmist is in. Most of those psalms conclude with a statement of trusting in God while still in the midst of the trouble. This psalm is different in that respect. Here the psalmist seems to be saying that his only companion is darkness. The Psalmist seems to be without hope, and yet still cries out to God. He writes: “Lord, I call to you for help;   every morning I pray to you.” (Psalm 88:13)

The psalmist knows even with seemingly unanswered prayer, that his only help comes from God. Look at verses 1 and 2 where he begins: “Lord God, my savior, I cry out all day, and at night I come before you.
Hear my prayer; listen to my cry for help!” (Psalm 88:1-2)

Application:

There are times in our lives where it seems our prayers do not reach God’s throne of grace. We may feel shut out and maybe even abandoned. In those times, let us be like the writer of Psalm 88 who continues to pray unceasingly. Sometimes in our own prayers, our answers come in the prayer itself. Whatever befalls us and no matter what circumstances in which we might find ourselves, our help is only from the Lord. So keep on praying day and night. Our God is a God of grace, even when we can not discern it.

Prayer:

Dear Lord our God, there are times in our lives that you seem so far away. In those times, help us to remember who moved. You are a God of love, peace, mercy, and provision. Our very lives are a result of your love, creating us in your own image and likeness. Help us then in times of trouble to continually turn towards you. Help us to praise you no matter what our circumstance. Amen.