SATURDAY – Introduction

The Psalms tell us that God made everything and cares about us. He's like a close friend who is always there for us, both in heaven and on earth:

Psalm 73:23

KJV 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

CEV 23 But I never really left you, and you hold my right hand.

Psalm 73:25

KJV 25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

CEV 25 In heaven I have only you, and on this earth you are all I want.

The Psalms show us that the Lord is a living God who helps those who trust in Him:

Psalm 145:18

KJV 18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

CEV 18 and you are near to everyone whose prayers are sincere.

Our proper response to God being close is to have faith in Him and follow His rules:

Psalm 55:16-22

KJV 16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. 19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. 20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. 22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

CEV 16 I ask for your help, Lord God, and you will keep me safe. 17 Morning, noon, and night you hear my concerns and my complaints. 18 I am attacked from all sides, but you will rescue me unharmed by the battle. 19 You have always ruled, and you will hear me. You will defeat my enemies because they won't turn and worship you. 20 My friend turned against me and broke his promise. 21 His words were smoother than butter, and softer than olive oil. But hatred filled his heart, and he was ready to attack with a sword. 22 Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won't let us fall.

SUNDAY – My Frame Was Not Hidden From You

In Psalm 139, the writer talks about how God knows everything about us. Unlike people who might not completely understand us, God knows us really well and has the power to help us. God's promises aren't just words; they are strong assurances of His help.

God's knowledge of us is so deep that even our mothers' wombs cannot hide us from Him:

Psalm 139:13

KJV 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

CEV 13 You are the one who put me together inside my mother's body,

Psalm 139:15

KJV 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

CEV 15 Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together out of human sight,

This knowledge covers our past, inner thoughts, and our whole existence. Instead of being scared, we can find comfort in this truth and turn to Jesus, who gives us His goodness through faith:

Romans 3:5

KJV 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

CEV 5 If our evil deeds show how right God is, then what can we say? Is it wrong for God to become angry and punish us? What a foolish thing to ask.

 a 
Romans 3:21

KJV 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

CEV 21 Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn't by obeying the Law of Moses.

 b 

MONDAY – Assurance of God’s Care

In Psalms 40, Psalms 50, Psalms 55, and Psalms 121, we see that God is always with us. For example read the following verses from the Psalms:

God hears when we patiently wait – Psalm 40:1

KJV 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

CEV (A psalm by David for the music leader.) 1 I patiently waited, Lord, for you to hear my prayer. You listened

God rescues when we call in trouble – Psalm 50:15

KJV 15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

CEV 15 Pray to me in time of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.

God sustains, taking away our worries – Psalm 55:22

KJV 22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

CEV 22 Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won't let us fall.

God is our constant help – Psalm 121:1-2

KJV 1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

CEV (A song for worship.) 1 I look to the hills! Where will I find help? 2 It will come from the Lord, who created heaven and earth.

The Psalms tell us that God protects us on our life journey, takes care of us, and keeps us safe. Read the following passages:

Psalm 66:9

KJV 9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

CEV 9 God protects us from death and keeps us steady.

Psalm 119:105

KJV 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

CEV 105 Your word is a lamp that gives light wherever I walk.

Proverbs 3:23

KJV 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

CEV 23 You will walk safely and never stumble;

Psalm 121 celebrates the power of the Creator in the life of someone who believes in Him. This power includes:

Not letting us stumble – Psalm 121:3

KJV 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

CEV 3 The Lord is your protector, and he won't go to sleep or let you stumble.

Always being alert and ready to help – Psalm 121:3-4

KJV 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

CEV 3 The Lord is your protector, and he won't go to sleep or let you stumble. 4 The protector of Israel doesn't doze or ever get drowsy.

Providing continuous care – Psalm 121:6-8

KJV 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

CEV 6 You won't be harmed by the sun during the day or by the moon at night. 7 The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers. 8 The Lord will protect you now and always wherever you go.

The psalmist trusted in God's loving care, and we should do the same.

TUESDAY – The Lord Is a Refuge in Adversity

In tough times, the psalmist turns to God for help. Trusting God is a choice we make in all circumstances, especially during difficult times. The psalmist finds security in God, describing Him as a safe hiding place, a strong fortress, and a protector.

The idea of being "under the shadow of Your wings" means the comforting protection God provides, like a mother bird protecting her chicks. This idea is found in the following Psalms:

Psalm 17:8

KJV 8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

CEV 8 Protect me as you would your very own eyes; hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 57:1

KJV 1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

CEV (For the music leader. To the tune “Don't Destroy.” A special psalm by David when he was in the cave while running from Saul.) 1 God Most High, have pity on me! Have mercy. I run to you for safety. In the shadow of your wings, I seek protection till danger dies down.

Psalm 63:7

KJV 7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

CEV 7 You have helped me, and I sing happy songs in the shadow of your wings.

Even when things are really hard, we should remember that God is always with us. The psalmist says God is like a safe hiding place and a strong fortress, as well as a safe place in difficult times:

Psalm 31:1-3

KJV 1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. 2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. 3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

CEV (A psalm by David for the music leader.) 1 I come to you, Lord, for protection. Don't let me be ashamed. Do as you have promised and rescue me. 2 Listen to my prayer and hurry to save me. Be my mighty rock and the fortress where I am safe. 3 You, Lord God, are my mighty rock and my fortress. Lead me and guide me, so that your name will be honored.

Psalm 91:2-7

KJV 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

CEV 2 Then you will say to the Lord, “You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.” 3 The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. 4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall. 5 You won't need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day. 6 And you won't fear diseases that strike in the dark or sudden disaster at noon. 7 You will not be harmed, though thousands fall all around you.

In the New Testament book of Matthew, Jesus talks about God's protective care using the image of a hen gathering her chicks under her wings, showing God's desire to gather and protect His people, offering comfort and assurance – Matthew 23:37

KJV 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

CEV (Luke 13. 34,35) 37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Your people have killed the prophets and have stoned the messengers who were sent to you. I have often wanted to gather your people, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you wouldn't let me.

WEDNESDAY – Defender and Deliverer

In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul talks about how God saved people like a hero – 1 Corinthians 10:1-4

KJV 1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

CEV 1 Friends, I want to remind you that all our ancestors walked under the cloud and went through the sea. 2 This was like being baptized and becoming followers of Moses. 3 All of them also ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink, which flowed from the spiritual rock that followed them. That rock was Christ.

Psalm 114

KJV 1 When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language; 2 Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion. 3 The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. 4 The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. 5 What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? 6 Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? 7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; 8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

CEV 1 God brought his people out of Egypt, that land with a strange language. 2 He made Judah his holy place and ruled over Israel. 3 When the sea looked at God, it ran away, and the Jordan River flowed upstream. 4 The mountains and the hills skipped around like goats. 5 Ask the sea why it ran away or ask the Jordan why it flowed upstream. 6 Ask the mountains and the hills why they skipped like goats! 7 Earth, you will tremble, when the Lord God of Jacob comes near, 8 because he turns solid rock into flowing streams and pools of water. 114. 1 : Ex 12. 51. 114. 3 a : Ex 14. 21; b Js 3. 16,17. 114. 8 : Ex 17. 1-7; Nu 20. 2-13.

beautifully describes God's rescue from Egypt, symbolizing His power to save His people – Psalm 114:7

KJV 7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob;

CEV 7 Earth, you will tremble, when the Lord God of Jacob comes near,

The Psalms encourage us to trust in God's power and look beyond dangers.

The dangers we face as believers require us to lean on the Lord's power for protection, just like the psalmist did.

THURSDAY – Help From the Sanctuary

Various Psalms connect help and refuge to a special place called the sanctuary:

Psalm 3:4

KJV 4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

CEV 4 I pray to you, and you answer from your sacred hill.

Psalm 14:7

KJV 7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

CEV 7 I long for someone from Zion to come and save Israel! Our Lord, when you bless your people again, Jacob's family will be glad, and Israel will celebrate.

Psalm 20:1-3

KJV 1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; 3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

CEV (A psalm by David for the music leader.) 1 I pray that the Lord will listen when you are in trouble, and that the God of Jacob will keep you safe. 2 May the Lord send help from his temple and come to your rescue from Mount Zion. 3 May he remember your gifts and be pleased with what you bring.

Psalm 27:5

KJV 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

CEV 5 In times of trouble, Lord, you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock.

Psalm 36:8

KJV 8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.

CEV 8 You give your guests a feast in your house, and you serve a tasty drink that flows like a river.

Psalm 61:4

KJV 4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

CEV 4 Let me live with you forever and find protection under your wings, my God.

Psalm 68:5

KJV 5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

CEV 5 Our God, from your sacred home you take care of orphans and protect widows.

Psalm 68:35

KJV 35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

CEV 35 The God of Israel is fearsome in his temple, and he makes us strong. Let's praise our God!

The sanctuary is like a safe and saving place where God is present.

The holiness of God’s sanctuary prompts the psalmist to acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes, and we don't deserve God’s favor:

Psalm 143:2

KJV 2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

CEV 2 I am your servant. Don't try me in your court, because no one is innocent by your standards.

Psalm 143:9-12

KJV 9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. 10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. 11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. 12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

CEV 9 Please rescue me from my enemies, Lord! I come to you for safety. 10 You are my God. Show me what you want me to do, and let your gentle Spirit lead me in the right path. 11 Be true to your name, Lord, and keep my life safe. Use your saving power to protect me from trouble. 12 I am your servant. Show how much you love me by destroying my enemies.

Only when we have a right relationship with God, saying sorry for our mistakes and accepting His love and forgiveness, can we ask for God’s assurance of help.

The sanctuary service represented the saving help found in Jesus.

FRIDAY – Further Thought

Jacob's experience teaches us about the power of talking to God a lot and trusting Him. The Psalms make our faith in God stronger. We should trust in God's goodness, especially when things seem hard. Some Psalms might be tricky, but we trust in God's goodness, shown most powerfully when Jesus helped everyone by dying on the Cross.