Saturday - Introduction

Imagine you're in a place where everything feels wrong and strange, like you're not at home. That's how the writers of Psalms felt about living in a world full of bad things and suffering. They wondered how to stay faithful to God in such a tough world.

These writers knew God was in charge and could protect them, but they were confused when they saw bad things happening. They asked, "Where is God?" when things went wrong. The Psalms are like prayers where they shared their feelings and worries about God not answering right away. Have you ever felt like God wasn't answering your prayers or seemed far away? This week, we're going to explore these feelings and see what the Psalms say about them.

Sunday - The Days of Evil

Read the following:

Psalm 74:18-22

KJV ¹⁸ Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name. ¹⁹ O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. ²⁰ Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. ²¹ O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name. ²² Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily. CEV ¹⁸ Remember your enemies, Lord! They foolishly sneer and won't respect you. ¹⁹ You treat us like pet doves, but they mistreat us. Don't keep forgetting us and letting us be fed to those wild animals. ²⁰ Remember the agreement you made with us. Violent enemies are hiding in every dark corner of the earth. ²¹ Don't disappoint those in need or make them turn from you, but help the poor and homeless to shout your praises. ²² Do something, God! Defend yourself. Remember how those fools sneer at you all day long.

Psalm 79:5-13

KJV ⁵ How long, Lord? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire? ⁶ Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. ⁷ For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. ⁸ O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. ⁹ Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. ¹⁰ Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed. ¹¹ Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; ¹² And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord. ¹³ So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations. CEV ⁵ Our Lord, will you keep on being angry? Will your angry feelings keep flaming up like fire? ⁶ Get angry with those nations that don't know you and won't worship you! ⁷ They have gobbled up Jacob's descendants and left the land in ruins. ⁸ Don't make us pay for the sins of our ancestors. Have pity and come quickly! We are completely helpless. ⁹ Our God, you keep us safe. Now help us! Rescue us. Forgive our sins and bring honor to yourself. ¹⁰ Why should nations ask us, “Where is your God?” Let us and the other nations see you take revenge for your servants who died a violent death. ¹¹ Listen to the prisoners groan! Let your mighty power save all who are sentenced to die. ¹² Each of those nations sneered at you, our Lord. Now let others sneer at them, seven times as much. ¹³ Then we, your people, will always thank you. We are like sheep with you as our shepherd, and all generations will hear us praise you.

These are prayers asking God to help understand and fight against evil. The writers talk about how God is patient and strong in the battle between good and evil.

They also believe that Israel, God's special people, show that God keeps His promises. The writers are upset when enemies attack Israel because they think it makes God look weak. They know Israel did wrong things and need God's forgiveness.

The writers want everyone to respect and praise God. They hope God will show His power by punishing those who hurt Israel. This would prove God is strong and caring.

Just like Israel's sins hurt them, our wrong actions can hurt us and others. We should live in a way that honors God and Jesus.

Monday - I Am Ready to Die!

Read the following:

Psalm 41:1-4

KJV ¹ Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. ² The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. ³ The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. ⁴ I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. CEV (A psalm by David for the music leader.) ¹ You, Lord God, bless everyone who cares for the poor, and you rescue those people in times of trouble. ² You protect them and keep them alive. You make them happy here in this land, and you don't hand them over to their enemies. ³ You always heal them and restore their strength when they are sick. ⁴ I prayed, “Have pity, Lord! Heal me, though I have sinned against you.”

Psalm 88:3-12

KJV ³ For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. ⁴ I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength: ⁵ Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. ⁶ Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. ⁷ Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah. ⁸ Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth. ⁹ Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: Lord, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee. ¹⁰ Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah. ¹¹ Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction? ¹² Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? CEV ³ I am deeply troubled and close to death; ⁴ I am as good as dead and completely helpless. ⁵ I am no better off than those in the grave, those you have forgotten and no longer help. ⁶ You have put me in the deepest and darkest grave; ⁷ your anger rolls over me like ocean waves. ⁸ You have made my friends turn in horror from me. I am a prisoner who cannot escape, ⁹ and I am almost blind because of my sorrow. Each day I lift my hands in prayer to you, Lord. ¹⁰ Do you work miracles for the dead? Do they stand up and praise you? ¹¹ Are your love and loyalty announced in the world of the dead? ¹² Do they know of your miracles or your saving power in the dark world below where all is forgotten?

Psalm 102:3-5

KJV ³ For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. ⁴ My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. ⁵ By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. CEV ³ My days disappear like smoke, and my bones are burning as though in a furnace. ⁴ I am wasting away like grass, and my appetite is gone. ⁵ My groaning never stops, and my bones can be seen through my skin.

Psalm 102:11

KJV ¹¹ My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass. CEV ¹¹ My life fades like a shadow at the end of day and withers like grass.

Psalm 102:23-24

KJV ²³ He weakened my strength in the way; he shortened my days. ²⁴ I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. CEV ²³ I should still be strong, but you, Lord, have made an old person of me. ²⁴ You will live forever! Years mean nothing to you. Don't cut my life in half!

These are prayers for help from sickness and danger. The writers share their pain and suffering, feeling weak and lonely.

They believe Israel's troubles come from not obeying God. But sometimes, suffering happens just because the world is full of bad things. The writers hold onto their faith, even when they feel God is punishing them or seems far away. They trust God loves them and will save them.

Think about Jesus suffering on the cross. God understands our pain because He went through it too.

Tuesday - Where Is God?

Read the following:

Psalm 42:1-3

KJV ¹ As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. ² My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? ³ My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? CEV BOOK II(Psalms 42–72)(A special psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.) ¹ As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. ² In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face? ³ Day and night my tears are my only food, as everyone keeps asking, “Where is your God?”

Psalm 63:1

KJV ¹ O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; CEV (A psalm by David when he was in the desert of Judah.) ¹ You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert.

Psalm 69:1-3

KJV ¹ Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. ² I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. ³ I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. CEV (By David for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies.” ) ¹ Save me, God! I am about to drown. ² I am sinking deep in the mud, and my feet are slipping. I am about to be swept under by a mighty flood. ³ I am worn out from crying, and my throat is dry. I have waited for you till my eyes are blurred.

Psalm 102:1-7

KJV ¹ Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come unto thee. ² Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. ³ For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. ⁴ My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread. ⁵ By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. ⁶ I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert. ⁷ I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top. CEV (A prayer for someone who hurts and needs to ask the Lord for help.) ¹ I pray to you, Lord! Please listen. ² Don't hide from me in my time of trouble. Pay attention to my prayer and quickly give an answer. ³ My days disappear like smoke, and my bones are burning as though in a furnace. ⁴ I am wasting away like grass, and my appetite is gone. ⁵ My groaning never stops, and my bones can be seen through my skin. ⁶ I am like a lonely owl in the desert ⁷ or a restless sparrow alone on a roof.

The writer is sad and feels God is far away, which hurts more than any other problem. He feels alone, like a bird on a roof or a thirsty person in a dry land.

When God doesn't answer prayers quickly, the writer checks his heart, confesses sins, and keeps praying. He believes God is still there, even when silent.

What do you do when God seems silent? How do you keep your faith strong?

Wednesday - Did God's Promise Fail?

In Psalm 77

KJV ¹ I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. ² In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. ³ I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. ⁴ Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. ⁵ I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. ⁶ I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. ⁷ Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? ⁸ Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? ⁹ Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. ¹⁰ And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. ¹¹ I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. ¹² I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. ¹³ Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? ¹⁴ Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. ¹⁵ Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. ¹⁶ The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. ¹⁷ The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. ¹⁸ The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. ¹⁹ Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. ²⁰ Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. CEV (A psalm by Asaph for Jeduthun, the music leader.) ¹ I pray to you, Lord God, and I beg you to listen. ² In days filled with trouble, I search for you. And at night I tirelessly lift my hands in prayer, refusing comfort. ³ When I think of you, I feel restless and weak. ⁴ Because of you, Lord God, I can't sleep. I am restless and can't even talk. ⁵ I think of times gone by, of those years long ago. ⁶ Each night my mind is flooded with questions: ⁷ “Have you rejected me forever? Won't you be kind again? ⁸ Is this the end of your love and your promises? ⁹ Have you forgotten how to have pity? Do you refuse to show mercy because of your anger?” ¹⁰ Then I said, “God Most High, what hurts me most is that you no longer help us with your mighty arm.” ¹¹ Our Lord, I will remember the things you have done, your miracles of long ago. ¹² I will think about each one of your mighty deeds. ¹³ Everything you do is right, and no other god compares with you. ¹⁴ You alone work miracles, and you have let nations see your mighty power. ¹⁵ With your own arm you rescued your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. ¹⁶ The ocean looked at you, God, and it trembled deep down with fear. ¹⁷ Water flowed from the clouds. Thunder was heard above as your arrows of lightning flashed about. ¹⁸ Your thunder roared like chariot wheels. The world was made bright by lightning, and all the earth trembled. ¹⁹ You walked through the water of the mighty sea, but your footprints were never seen. ²⁰ You guided your people like a flock of sheep, and you chose Moses and Aaron to be their leaders.
, the writer is really sad, thinking about past troubles. He wonders if God changed or forgot His promises.

But then he remembers how God helped people before and decides to trust God and wait for His help. He realizes that even when God seems hidden, He's still working for us.

Remembering how God helped you before can give you hope during hard times.

Thursday - Evil People Will Not Always Control the Land

Read following:

Psalm 37:1

KJV ¹ Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. CEV (By David.) ¹ Don't be annoyed by anyone who does wrong, and don't envy them.

Psalm 37:8

KJV ⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. CEV ⁸ Don't be angry or furious. Anger can lead to sin.

Psalm 49:5-7

KJV ⁵ Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? ⁶ They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; ⁷ None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: CEV ⁵ Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when I am surrounded by vicious enemies? ⁶ They trust in their riches and brag about all their wealth. ⁷ You cannot buy back your life or pay off God!

Psalm 94:3-7

KJV ³ Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? ⁴ How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? ⁵ They break in pieces thy people, O Lord, and afflict thine heritage. ⁶ They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. ⁷ Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. CEV ³ How long will the wicked celebrate and be glad? ⁴ All of those cruel people strut and boast, ⁵ and they crush and wound your chosen nation, Lord. ⁶ They murder widows, foreigners, and orphans. ⁷ Then they say, “The Lord God of Jacob doesn't see or know.”

Psalm 125:3

KJV ³ For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. CEV ³ He won't let the wicked rule his people or lead them to do wrong.

These talk about why bad people sometimes seem to win. The writer struggles with seeing evil people succeed and wonders if being good is worth it.

But when thinking about God's judgment, the writer realizes that evil people will face consequences. This reminds him to stay faithful to God, even when others don't.

Believing that God will judge everyone gives hope, especially when bad things happen and don't seem to get punished.

Friday - Additional Thought

Read Psalm 56

KJV ¹ Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. ² Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. ³ What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. ⁴ In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. ⁵ Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. ⁶ They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. ⁷ Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God. ⁸ Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? ⁹ When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. ¹⁰ In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word. ¹¹ In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. ¹² Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. ¹³ For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? CEV (For the music leader. To the tune “A Silent Dove in the Distance.” A special psalm by David when the Philistines captured him in Gath.) ¹ Have pity, God Most High! My enemies chase me all day. ² Many of them are pursuing and attacking me, ³ but even when I am afraid, I keep on trusting you. ⁴ I praise your promises! I trust you and am not afraid. No one can harm me. ⁵ Enemies spend the whole day finding fault with me; all they think about is how to do me harm. ⁶ They attack from ambush, watching my every step and hoping to kill me. ⁷ They won't get away with these crimes, God, because when you get angry, you destroy people. ⁸ You have kept record of my days of wandering. You have stored my tears in your bottle and counted each of them. ⁹ When I pray, Lord God, my enemies will retreat, because I know for certain that you are with me. ¹⁰ I praise your promises! ¹¹ I trust you and am not afraid. No one can harm me. ¹² I will keep my promises to you, my God, and bring you gifts. ¹³ You protected me from death and kept me from stumbling, so that I would please you and follow the light that leads to life.
and a section from "Steps to Christ." When you're struggling, focus on God, not your problems. Trust Him to guide and help you. This faith gives you hope.

Even when God feels distant, keep praying. The Psalms writers did this. They looked at their hearts, remembered God's past help, confessed sins, and kept asking for help.

Our faith gets stronger when we face and fight doubts and troubles. These challenges teach us valuable life lessons.