Daily Reflections

from the Book of Psalms

August 28, Craziness

A few of the psalms were composed while the author was in exile in Babylon during the sixth century B.C. In today’s verse, the author was asking how he could be creative when the situation in his life and nation were so painfully chaotic. Yet, he was being creative as he wrote Psalm 137, even though the conditions were not ideal.

August 27, Dangers of Idolatry

One of the many problems with idolatry is that it dehumanizes the worshiper. According to today’s passage, those who worship idols become like those idols. They cannot speak, see, or hear spiritual things apart from those that idolatry imparts to them. Idols can be either external or internal, physical or mental, animate or inanimate.

August 26, Restoration

A few of the psalms were written in the sixth century BC, and all of them were edited and took the shape and order we know today when Israel was in exile in Babylon. There, they were pining away in a foreign land for their beloved Jerusalem and all it represented. Then the Lord began to...

August 25, God over Nature

The psalmists repeatedly referred back to God’s natural acts of creation to describe and frame God’s majesty and power. Thus, they regularly mention the Flood, the Genesis story, and the parting of the Red Sea as Israel left Egypt as examples of God’s ability to help His people, regardless of how daunting the circumstances seemed to be. Perhaps that is why...

August 24, Simple Things

Today’s two verses are the only verses in the entire psalm, making it the shortest psalm of all 150. It is not particularly profound, nor does it reveal some truth that cannot be found someplace else. Yet, it has a place in the inspired words of God, indicating God’s approval and priority. How often have you not said or done something because it seemed so obvious or simple?

August 23, Don’t Grow Weary

The Lord never forgets what you did for Him or for His people. It may seem like He has forgotten, but He has a sharp pencil and a big book, He writes everything down, and in time repays and rewards. Paul wrote it best when he advised the Galatians:

August 22, Grumbling

The Israelites were a nasty, unruly lot as they left Egypt and made their way to the Promised Land. Even though God had showed Himself strong on their behalf and parted the Red Sea, they were obstinate and gave Moses a hard time, which angered the Lord. One of the behaviors that characterized them during their Wilderness experience was grumbling, which is...

August 21, God is Ordering Your Steps

When it is said that God rules in the affairs of men, the story of Joseph is a classic example of that truth. In these verses, the psalmist gives his view of that historical event and God’s role in it. God created and used a famine to get people moving where He wanted them to be — specifically Joseph to Egypt, followed later by his family.

August 20, Hearing God’s Voice

Moses, Aaron, and Samuel called on the Lord and He answered them. God is always answering, but we are not always listening. When we hear, sometimes we mistake His voice for something or someone else. Take for example the story in John 12 when Jesus said, “Father, glorify your name!” (John 12:29b). In response to Jesus’ prayer, this is what happened:

August 19, Living in Fear

This promise is helpful to recite, but it can be difficult to live out. It’s easy to say that no harm will befall you until there is harm all around you. Then you have a chance to live in the promise of this verse—or panic. This verse is not a license for recklessness or presumption, but it has enabled many believers to combat fear and...

August 18, Procrastination

This verse should cause you to think of its equivalent in the New Testament: “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8). If you do the math, if a day is like 1,000 years, then an hour is like 46 years, and a minute is like...

August 17, God Speaks

Notice the psalmist was writing in these verses, but he was not speaking. It was the Lord speaking His words through the writer — in the first person. This is another indication that God speaks to His people through His written Word, and you would do well to treat those words not as just another book, but as the special instruments they are. This high view of Scripture was...

August 16, Attitude Toward Leaders

God was the One leading in the wilderness, but He did so through His appointed leaders, Moses and Aaron. God is still a leadership God, working through those whom He gives insight and courage to be out in front of the people. At the same time, Moses and Aaron were not perfect men, and the people often suffered because of them. You must have...

August 15, One Something

One time I was in a tough place financially, and the phone rang for someone to schedule me to consult for them three months later. I was discouraged before the phone rang and was greatly encouraged after the call. Then I thought, “Hey, there won’t be any money from that call for three months. Why do I feel so much better?” Then I reasoned...

Your Life Matters

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For centuries, people have turned to the Book of Psalms to help make sense and to find comfort in times of trouble. They have also gone there to find words to express the praise in their hearts for the magnificence and glory of God. In Your Life Matters: Daily Reflections from the Book of Psalms, John Stanko adds his own insight into the Psalms and how they relate to your life matters such as suffering, prayer, the poor, mercy, grace and leadership. For every day of the year, John assigns a reading from Psalms, picks a verse or passage, makes some devotional comments, asks some pointed questions and adds a cross reference to another portion of the Bible. Your Life Matters is practical, inspirational, and helpful, and is certain to become your daily favorite to help you reflect on your life and God’s role in it.