Psalm 33 - 3.5.25

Scripture

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. (Psalms 33:17)

Observation

The NASB version of the same verse says, “A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength”. The author of this Psalm is not explicitly stated, but most Bible scholars attribute this Psalm to David. 

King David was a warrior. God appointed him as a king during a time when Israel was constantly at war with multiple enemies. David was tasked with the great responsibility of defending and protecting his nation from invaders. In those days, the strength of an army was measured by the number of horses and chariots that they possessed. But David knew better. He knew that no king is saved by the size of his army, and that no warrior escapes by his great strength (Psalms 33:16,17).

A good horse played a huge part in winning the war,  providing the warrior unmatched speed and mobility. Warhorses had huge strength and could carry the warrior and heavy weaponry. They were fearless and would charge into battle, and had a close bond with the warrier. However, David knew that his victory did not come by possessing a good warhorse.

Putting his trust in his good well trained and powerful horse was a vain and false hope for victory and deliverance (Psalms 33:17). David knew that the eyes of the Lord were on them who put their trust in Him, to deliver them and give them victory (Psalms 33:18, 19). 

Application

I took on a new job a little more than a year ago. I had worked for the same organization for 25 years, and I had no plans to move. However, I knew that the Lord was leading me to this change and had opened this door for me. I had never faced an interview in 25 years, though I had interviewed and recruited many people. During the last phase of the recruitment process, I was supposed to meet with a very senior executive and decision maker. I was nervous and I was reading up about the latest technological and business advances in my professional field, preparing for this interview. As I was doing that, this verse came to my mind “a horse is a vain hope for victory”. I knew that I had heard the voice of the Lord. It was not by my power nor by might that I was going to move into this new phase of my career, but by His Spirit and His power (Zechariah 4:6). I faced the interview with confidence in Him (Prov 3:26). The Lord opened the door, and I went through it to my new job. 

What are we putting our trust in? Is our trust in our modern day “horses” and “chariots” - our abilities, our education, connection, money and other things we possess? Or are we putting our trust in God alone? Let us say like David, “some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of our Lord” (Psalms 20:7). 

Trust in man is a snare (trap), but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe (Prov 29:25). If we have put our trust in anything else other than the Lord, let us repent and put our trust in Him alone. Let us fix our eyes on the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:2). Those who look to Him are radiant, and they are never put to shame. (Psalms 34:5). 

Whatever be the mountain you are facing today, if you put your trust in Him, you will not be put to shame. He is a shield around you, your glory and the lifter of your head (Psalms 3:3).

Prayer

Father, I thank you because you are faithful. I know that I can put my trust in you. I am safe in you. The battle belongs to you (1 Sam 17:47). I will not put my trust in horses and chariots. I will look at your face alone. You are my defense (Psalms 59:9). You will fight for me (Exodus 14:14). I trust you because you will go before you and will level the mountains, you will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron (Isaiah 45:2). No weapon formed against me will prosper (Isaiah 54:17). Thank you Jesus. Knowing you is the biggest blessing of my life. Help me to live a life that pleases you. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight (Psalms 19:14). In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Psalm 32 - 3.4.25

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 32:1,2 “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”

OBSERVATION:  This psalm is a penitential psalm written by David.  When he had been in great despair after sinning against God, he prayed out for mercy, forgiveness, and cleansing, and God answered his prayer of confession and repentance by mercifully forgiving him. 

APPLICATION:  Sin alienates us from God, but like David, once our sins have been forgiven, we go from despair -  to joy and praise after we’ve become recipients of God’s love and forgiveness.  God loves us, and knows us, and when we confess our sins, express our doubts and fears, and pour our true feelings out to Him, it helps guide us into a closer and deeper relationship with Him. 

PRAYER:  Thank You Lord for forgiving my sins.  Thank You for not counting them against me. What joy and relief it feels to walk in Your forgiveness.  I did nothing to deserve it, but You lovingly and graciously forgave the guilt of my sin.  How blessed I am!  I rejoice and praise You with such gratitude in my heart that my sin was paid for in full on the cross! Thank You Lord for Your faithful Word which declares that sins confessed are sins forgiven!

- Robin Orefice

Psalm 31 - 3.3.25

Scripture

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV

“Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.”

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Observation

In this psalm of David, he is crying out to God for help. David is pleading to God to deliver him from his enemies and his difficult circumstances. But even through his hardships, David’s faith never wavers. Instead David finds his confidence in placing his full trust and reliance on God. David finds his strength and comfort knowing God’s faithfulness.

Application

When life’s troubles are weighing you down and your knees feel like buckling under the pressure…fall on them and PRAY 🙏🏽!

We all face struggles and hardships in life.  But we don’t have to let them break us. We can find comfort, (like David here), knowing we have a God who is a reliable source of strength and security. No matter how big our troubles seem, our God is BIGGER! So why not seek Him?! He is in every detail of our lives, and He would love to hear from us. Seek Him earnestly. Seek Him often. Lay all our worries and concerns over to Him and trust Him. He will see us through. 😊

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”-Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” -‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for being my rock, my tower of refuge and strength. Thank You for shielding me from my enemies, and for seeing me through all of life’s difficult circumstances. Forgive me for my times of doubt and fear. May I always be reminded in those times of darkness to seek You first. And when I seek You, may I find comfort and rest knowing that You are in control of it all, and that You are my God. And You are a God who is ALWAYS faithful. And I pray these things in Jesus name, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi