As I spent time today with God reading my devotional book inspired by the Psalms, I realized how many beautiful, precious, and powerful scriptures were in the Book of Psalms. I want to share with you some of the scriptures that will encourage and empower you. I pray that these will help you, give you comfort, bring about joy, and leave you with long-lasting hope. Psalms can fill you with praise, thanksgiving, wisdom, help, and protection.
We all need to be lifted up. None of us are immune to the need of an encouraging word, an uplifting song, an embrace from a loved one or for someone to just listen to us. For some of us sometimes the pain of our circumstances, relationships, or issues of life keep us from pressing into and crying out to the One and only, that can truly help us. God is the only one who you can 100% trust. To God, you are and will always be the apple of his eye (Psalm 17:8). You are so precious to Him…so why not spend some moments of your day with Him.
I encourage you….no actually I CHALLENGE you to get alone today and talk to your Heavenly Father. There is no right or wrong way to pray….all you need to do is talk to Him! I know there are times in your life, when the pain, hurts, trials or your crisis seems so big that you don’t want to to talk to anyone…not even to God. Rest assured, that nothing is too big for God and there isn’t anything, He already doesn’t know.
These scriptures can be be so powerful, if you meditate (focus, repeat, think about, ponder) on them and get them working in your spirit. Carve out some time every day to get into God’s word; develop a relationship with His son Jesus. This is a relationship like no other. You’ll discover and find a friend, a wonderful counselor, a teacher, and best of all…some peace.
Grab a journal, your favorite pen and your Word…
Escuchame Project Yvette’s CORNERSTONE scripture is Psalm 17:6. This scripture says, I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. (NIV)
This means you can cry out to God and call on Him at anytime and in any situation. Share you deepest thought, and emotions——He will Listen to you! He will answer your prayers!. Just remember that He answers prayers in His perfect timing…in His perfect way…not in our timing. We love this scripture because there are so many women, men, families, and children who long to have someone say to them, “I hear you, and I am here for you.”
PROTECTION:
Psalm 91
Read all of Psalm 91 every day. The entire Psalm will provide verses about being safe and secure. My favorite is Psalm 91:4 – He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. I use to always read the King James Version, and I loved imagining how I was shielded and protected in His loving arms, and that nothing could harm me! But the Passion Translation (TPT) really says it all so eloquently……His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.
Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings (KJV).
He is focused on you. Your reflection can be seen in Him. He guards you and protects you as if you were the pupil of His own eye.
Psalm 55:18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me, though many still oppose me (NLT).
God can redeem your soul, and bring peace into your life. He will help you conquer the battles wages against you.
Psalm 9:9-10 God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you ’re never sorry you knocked (MSG).
If you experience abusive behaviors, I know that you may feel crushed by the weight of your troubles. You may not even feel that there is a place of sanctuary for you, but there is, The Lord is a refuge and a safe place where you can run. He is your champion!!
Psalm 94:16-17 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Unless the Lord had been my help, I would soon have dwelt in [the land where there is] silence (AMPC).
Your help comes from the Lord. You can find peace and rest in the fact that He will never leave you or forsake you.
Psalm 11:5 The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence (NLT).
God hates those who enjoy hurting others.
PRAISE HIM
Psalm 149:4 For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory (NLT).
He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation. He beautifies YOU! Not only does He delight in us, but we can delight ourselves in Him. We can praise Him and thank Him, because He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corin. 15:57). He crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies.
GUIDANCE
Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you (NLT).
We can get the best advice from the Lord. Our paths can be directed by His perfect will, when we commit our ways, desires and decisions to Him..
FEAR
Psalm 56:3-4 But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? (NLT)
Psalm 34:4-6 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles (NLT).
Wow..these scriptures speak for themselves! You can find freedom from fear and it can all be replaced with trust and joy.
LOVE
Psalm 63:3 Your Love is better than life (NIV). We often use the word LOVE loosely and to describe an emotion toward something we like or enjoy (i.e. I love watching TV, I love pizza, or I love chocolate). As a result, we run the risk of forgetting the Lord’s definition of LOVE–Love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not rude, self seeking, or easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres, never fails.
I’ll end with the above scripture on Love because it embodies who God is to us (God is love) and it instructs us to walk daily in love with others.
I leave you with the following challenge and request. I challenge you to meditate on these Psalms for at least ONE week and then share with us any revelation you received from spending some quiet time with God. We ask that you also share some of your favorite scriptures or your favorite ways to spend your devotional time.
Always remember you are loved, you are worthy, you are valued! You are not a disappointment! You are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made (Psalm 139:14, KJV).