TODAY’S LESSON: Psalm 38: Finding Mercy Amid Life’s Struggles

WORK ALLDAY (let’s go)

Here’s the heart of Psalm 38, Kevin — and it’s a powerful one. This psalm isn’t gentle; it’s raw, embodied, and unfiltered. It’s David at his most vulnerable, showing what it looks like when a person of faith hits the bottom and still turns toward God.

Below is a clear, structured look at its significance.

The Significance of Psalm 38

1. A Psalm of Deep Personal Lament

Psalm 38 is one of the few psalms explicitly labeled “a psalm of David, for remembrance.” It’s a cry from someone who feels crushed — physically, emotionally, spiritually. David describes:

  • bodily pain
  • overwhelming guilt
  • isolation from friends
  • pressure from enemies
  • a sense of God’s displeasure

It’s a portrait of a human being who feels like everything is collapsing at once.

This makes Psalm 38 incredibly relatable for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the weight of life.

2. The Intersection of Sin, Suffering, and God’s Presence

David doesn’t separate his physical suffering from his spiritual condition. He sees them intertwined.

He’s not saying all suffering is caused by sin — Scripture doesn’t teach that — but he is saying:

“I know I’ve contributed to my own pain, and I’m not hiding from that.”

This honesty is part of the psalm’s power. It models:

  • confession without excuses
  • humility without despair
  • accountability without self‑hatred

It’s the opposite of denial. It’s spiritual clarity.

3. A Portrait of Isolation

David describes being abandoned by friends and surrounded by enemies. This is one of the most emotionally heavy parts of the psalm.

It shows how suffering often brings loneliness — not just pain.

Psalm 38 gives voice to that experience so believers don’t feel alone in it.

4. A Model of Prayer When Words Are Hard

One of the most striking lines is when David says God already knows his sighs and longings.

It’s a reminder that:

  • God hears even when we can’t articulate
  • God understands even when we’re overwhelmed
  • God is near even when we feel distant

Psalm 38 teaches that prayer isn’t always eloquent. Sometimes it’s groaning, silence, or tears.

5. A Cry for Mercy, Not Merit

The psalm ends not with triumph but with a plea:

“Do not forsake me… come quickly to help me.”

There’s no self‑justification. No bargaining. Just dependence.

This is the spiritual significance: Psalm 38 teaches us that God invites us to come to Him even when we feel unworthy, broken, or responsible for our own mess.

It’s grace in the middle of the storm, not after it.

Why Psalm 38 Matters Today

For someone walking through:

  • guilt
  • chronic stress
  • physical pain
  • relational strain
  • spiritual heaviness
  • emotional exhaustion

Psalm 38 gives language to the struggle and a path toward God.

It says:

“You can bring the whole weight of your life to God — even the parts you’re ashamed of.”

It’s a psalm for the days when you feel like you’re limping, not running.

Well… LIFE… it definitely has its ups and downs… one minute you feel like anything is possible… the next, you are in a valley of dispair… YEAH… LIFE… smh… (On Monday, I am going to hopefully apply internally to that job AGAIN) LET’S GO2 HERSHEY.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

(I am reading to my congregation tomorrow… TODAY… LET’S GO2 WORK… EAT THAT FROG!)

TODAY’S LESSON: Understanding Psalm 37: A Guide to Trust and Peace

HIGH FIVE! (great run)

Here’s the beauty of Psalm 37, Kevin: it’s not just a psalm to read — it’s a psalm to live. It’s one of David’s most practical, steadying, soul-centering teachings. If Psalm 1 is the blueprint for the righteous life, Psalm 37 is the long-game strategy for walking with God when the world feels unfair, chaotic, or upside down.

Below is a clear, structured look at its significance.

The Significance of Psalm 37

1. A Wisdom Psalm, Not a Lament

Psalm 37 reads more like Proverbs than like David’s usual prayers. It’s calm, reflective, instructional. David is older here — seasoned, tested, and speaking from experience.

This is the voice of someone who has seen God’s faithfulness over decades and wants to pass on the secret of spiritual stability.

2. The Central Message: Don’t Let Evil People Steal Your Peace

The opening line sets the tone:

“Do not fret because of evildoers.”

The Hebrew idea behind fret is “to burn, to get heated.” David is saying: Don’t let the success of the wicked ignite your anger, anxiety, or envy.

Why? Because:

  • Their prosperity is temporary
  • Their power is fragile
  • Their story ends in collapse
  • God sees, knows, and will act in His time

This psalm is a masterclass in emotional discipline rooted in trust.

3. The Four Commands That Anchor the Soul

Psalm 37 gives a sequence — almost like spiritual steps:

1. Trust in the Lord

Lean your weight on Him.

2. Delight yourself in the Lord

Let Him be your joy, not your circumstances.

3. Commit your way to the Lord

Roll your burdens, plans, and path onto Him.

4. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently

Stop striving. Stop forcing outcomes. Let God be God.

This is the heart of the psalm: Trust → Delight → Commit → Rest.

It’s a rhythm for a peaceful life.

4. A Theology of Time

Psalm 37 constantly contrasts:

  • Now vs. Later
  • Temporary vs. Enduring
  • The wicked’s moment vs. The righteous’ inheritance

David keeps saying: Give God enough time, and you’ll see the difference.

This is spiritual maturity — the ability to zoom out and see life from God’s timeline, not the moment’s pressure.

5. The Righteous Inherit the Land

This phrase appears repeatedly.

In David’s context, “the land” meant:

  • Stability
  • Security
  • God’s covenant blessing
  • A place to flourish

For believers today, it points to:

  • God’s provision
  • God’s protection
  • God’s long-term faithfulness
  • The future God is preparing

It’s a promise that the righteous will not be uprooted.

6. God Actively Upholds the Righteous

Psalm 37 is full of tender assurances:

  • God knows your days
  • God upholds you
  • God will not forsake you
  • God delights in your way
  • Even if you fall, you won’t be destroyed
  • Your steps are ordered

This is one of the most comforting psalms for anyone who feels like they’re walking uphill.

7. A Call to Quiet Strength

Psalm 37 is not about passivity. It’s about choosing peace over panic, faith over fury, patience over pressure.

It teaches:

  • Don’t retaliate
  • Don’t envy
  • Don’t obsess
  • Don’t fear
  • Don’t rush God

Instead:

  • Do good
  • Stay faithful
  • Keep walking
  • Keep trusting
  • Keep waiting

This is the posture of someone who knows God is in control.

8. The Voice of an Older David

Verse 25 is the emotional center:

“I have been young, and now am old…”

This is David looking back over a lifetime and saying:

I’ve never seen God abandon the righteous.

It’s a testimony, not a theory.

9. A Psalm for People Who Feel Overwhelmed by Injustice

If you’ve ever felt:

  • overlooked
  • mistreated
  • frustrated by unfairness
  • tempted to take matters into your own hands
  • anxious about the future
  • tired of waiting

Psalm 37 is God’s steady hand on your shoulder saying:

Stay the course. I’m working even when you don’t see it.

10. The Big Takeaway

Psalm 37 teaches that the righteous life is a long obedience in the same direction.

It’s not flashy. It’s not instant. It’s not reactive.

It’s rooted, steady, and confident in God’s timing.

I am not gonna walk… (I HAD A GREAT RUN THIS MORNING) “Let’s go2 work” Can I get a motivational quote to continue to EAT THAT DAMN FROG???

“The frog isn’t your enemy — it’s your doorway. Conquer it, and the rest of the day bows to you.”

THANKS BE TO GOD.

(Let’s go2 work)

TODAY’S LESSON: Psalm 120: Facing Deceit and Finding Peace

HIGH FIVE! (c’mon)

Here’s the heart of Psalm 120—clear, sharp, and deeply human. It’s the first of the Songs of Ascents, the prayers sung by pilgrims on their way up to Jerusalem. And fittingly, it begins not with triumph, but with distress, because every journey toward God starts with honesty about where we actually are.

Below is a structured, grounded look at its significance, drawing from the sources we retrieved.

Significance of Psalm 120

1. It is the Pilgrim’s First Step: Crying Out from a Troubled Place

Psalm 120 opens the collection of ascent psalms, and it begins in a valley, not on a mountaintop. The psalmist is surrounded by hostility and deceit, and his first move is to cry out to the Lord, who answers him. This models the spiritual journey: before ascent comes lament.

2. It Confronts the Pain of Living Among Deceit

The psalmist pleads for deliverance from “lying lips” and “a deceitful tongue.” This isn’t abstract—he feels trapped in an environment where truth is distorted and words are weapons. This theme is echoed across commentaries: Psalm 120 is a cry for help from someone burdened by slander and false accusations.

3. It Names the Weariness of Being a Stranger in a Hostile Culture

He says he sojourns in Meshech and Kedar—far‑off, warlike peoples. This is symbolic language for feeling out of place, morally and spiritually isolated, surrounded by those who “hate peace.” It’s the ache of the faithful person who feels like an exile in their own world.

4. It Marks the Transition From Distress to Pilgrimage

Psalm 120 is intentionally placed at the start of the ascent psalms. Commentators note that this collection likely accompanied Israel’s pilgrim festivals. The journey begins with a cry for help, then moves toward trust, joy, and worship in the later psalms.

5. It Teaches That Peaceful People Still Face Conflict

The psalmist says, “I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.” This is the tension many believers feel: wanting peace, yet surrounded by conflict. Psalm 120 validates that experience and directs the heart toward God as the only true refuge.

In Summary

Psalm 120 is the prayer of someone who is tired of lies, tired of conflict, tired of being surrounded by people who don’t share his values—and who turns to God as the only one who can rescue him. It’s the first step of the pilgrim journey: honest lament that leads to hopeful ascent.

Thank you for the reminder to keep honest in my life… I am really hopeful for the future… TODAY, I am going to be busy… that Toastmasters Speech Contest is happening this morning, then I am going to work this afternoon… All we can do in life is to be a shining example for the future generation that will follow us. (WORK + PASTOR’S TWIZZLERS + GYM = YOU x TOMORROW) DO THE MATH!!!

BTW – HERE IS A POEM I WROTE:

**“I show up. I serve well. I lead boldly.

I build the man I become tomorrow.”**

YEAH.

TODAY’S LESSON: The Blessed Life: Insights from Psalm 1

HIGH FIVE! (stay disciplined)

Psalm 1 is the doorway into the entire Book of Psalms. It sets the tone for everything that follows by presenting a stark, poetic contrast between two ways of life—the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. Several themes emerge clearly from the sources.

Core Significance of Psalm 1

1. It defines what a truly “blessed” life is

The psalm opens with “Blessed is the man…”—a word rooted in the idea of being “straight” or “right” with God, pointing to deep contentment rather than material success.

2. It describes the path of the righteous

The righteous person:

  • Avoids the influence of the wicked
  • Delights in God’s law
  • Meditates on Scripture continually

This delight is not duty-driven but joy-filled, a source of nourishment and stability.

3. It portrays the righteous as a fruitful tree

The image of a tree planted by streams of water symbolizes:

  • Stability
  • Growth
  • Fruitfulness
  • Endurance

This is the life rooted in God’s Word—steady, nourished, and productive.

4. It warns of the fate of the wicked

The wicked are compared to chaff—weightless, rootless, and blown away. Their path ultimately leads to perishing, in contrast to the secure path of the righteous.

5. It introduces the central biblical theme of “two ways”

Psalm 1 is not just a personal meditation; it is a theological map. It frames life as a choice between:

  • The way of righteousness, known and watched over by God
  • The way of wickedness, which collapses in the end

This contrast becomes a recurring theme throughout the Psalms.

Why Psalm 1 Matters Spiritually

  • It calls you to intentionality—your influences shape your destiny.
  • It centers life on God’s Word as the source of joy, wisdom, and stability.
  • It reminds you that fruitfulness is the natural result of a rooted spiritual life.
  • It frames the Psalms as a book about choosing God’s way in every season.

As you might be aware, my day will be filled with doing chores for my mom around this DAMN house… man… I hate doing dishes, I hate doing laundry… I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO HAVE A GOOD WORKOUT THIS MORNING… (do you know where I am going this afternoon??? EAT THAT FROG)

Kevin, that mix of frustration and fire you’re carrying right now is real. Taking care of your mom, keeping that house running, doing the dishes, doing the laundry—none of that is glamorous, and none of it feels like “your” work. It’s service. It’s weight. It’s love expressed in the most unromantic ways possible.

And you’re allowed to hate the chores while still honoring the responsibility.

What I hear underneath all of it is this: You’re showing up. Even when it’s annoying. Even when it’s thankless. Even when it’s early.

And that’s strength.

Now—this workout you’re gearing up for? That’s your reclaiming moment. That’s where the energy you’re burning on everyone else snaps back into your body. You’ve been consistent, you’ve been disciplined, and today you’re carrying a little extra heat. That’s fuel. (EAT THAT FROG!)

**“The weight doesn’t care — and neither do I.

I lift because I choose strength, not comfort. Every rep is me taking my day back.”**

TODAY’S LESSON: Why Psalm 115 Matters: Trust, Glory, and Purpose in Life

HIGH FIVE! (you will never be alone)

Psalm 115 is a bold, counter‑cultural declaration about where trust belongs, who truly acts, and what it means to live as God’s people in a world full of competing voices. It’s one of those psalms that quietly sharpens your spiritual backbone.

Core Significance of Psalm 115

1. “Not to us, O Lord…” — A Reorientation of Glory

The psalm opens with a radical posture:

  • Human beings naturally want credit, recognition, and validation.
  • Psalm 115 flips that instinct: all glory belongs to God, because His love and faithfulness—not our performance—are the foundation of everything.

This is the psalm’s heartbeat: a life oriented toward God’s reputation, not our own.

2. A Contrast Between the Living God and Lifeless Idols

The psalm draws a sharp line:

  • Idols have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see.
  • They are powerless, human-made, and ultimately empty.

The point isn’t just about ancient statues. It’s about anything we elevate—success, security, approval, control. Psalm 115 exposes how easily we trust things that cannot save or sustain.

3. A Call to Trust: “He is their help and shield”

Three groups are addressed:

  • Israel
  • The house of Aaron (spiritual leaders)
  • All who fear the Lord

Each receives the same promise: God is your help. God is your shield.

This repetition is intentional. It’s meant to sink in. Trust is not a vague feeling—it’s a posture of dependence on the One who actually acts.

4. God’s Care Is Personal and Generational

The psalm declares that:

  • God remembers His people
  • God blesses His people
  • God increases them and their children

This is covenant language. It’s about identity, belonging, and continuity. Psalm 115 reminds you that you are not forgotten, and the work God is doing in your life has ripple effects beyond your lifetime.

5. A Vision of Purpose: “The heavens belong to the Lord… but the earth He has given to mankind”

This line is profound:

  • God reigns over the heavens
  • Humanity is entrusted with the earth

It’s a theology of stewardship, responsibility, and partnership. God is sovereign, but He invites His people to participate in His work.

6. A Call to Praise While You Have Breath

The psalm ends with a simple, urgent truth:

  • The dead cannot praise God
  • But we can
  • So we should praise Him now, fully and without hesitation

It’s a reminder that worship is both privilege and purpose.

How Psalm 115 Speaks Into Leadership and Daily Life

Given your heart for stewardship, leadership, and spiritual grounding, Psalm 115 carries some powerful implications:

  • “Not to us” keeps your leadership humble and God-centered It frees you from the pressure to perform for approval.
  • The idol contrast keeps your priorities sharp It’s a safeguard against trusting systems, outcomes, or human-made structures more than God.
  • “He is your help and shield” strengthens you in responsibility Especially when you’re carrying a lot—family, work, Toastmasters, service—this psalm anchors you in divine support.
  • The generational blessing aligns with your long-term goals Your stewardship, discipline, and faithfulness aren’t just for you; they shape the future you’re building.
  • The final call to praise keeps your spirit awake It’s a reminder to live with gratitude and purpose while you have breath.

I am going to workout this afternoon… let’s stay focussed on living…

“I choose life with every rep. I choose strength with every breath. I rise because I’m alive — and living demands movement.”

THANKS BE TO GOD.

TODAY’S LESSON: The Power of Psalm 138: Confidence in God’s Purpose

HIGH FIVE! (It’s a good day… PROGRESS… not PERFECTION)

Psalm 138 is one of those passages that feels both intimate and triumphant. It’s a psalm of David, and its significance comes through in three big movements: gratitude, confidence, and divine faithfulness.

🌟 Core Themes of Psalm 138

1. A Heart of Gratitude

David begins by thanking God wholeheartedly. He praises God not just privately but “before the gods”—a poetic way of saying he’s unashamed to honor God publicly. The psalm highlights:

  • God’s steadfast love
  • God’s faithfulness
  • God’s exalted name and word

It’s a reminder that gratitude isn’t passive; it’s a bold declaration of trust.

2. God’s Nearness in Trouble

One of the most cherished lines is David’s confidence that God answers him when he calls. The psalm emphasizes:

  • God strengthens the weary
  • God walks with us in the “midst of trouble”
  • God protects us from enemies

This is why many people turn to Psalm 138 during seasons of uncertainty—it affirms that God is not distant or indifferent.

3. God’s Purpose Will Stand

The psalm ends with a powerful assurance: God will fulfill His purpose for David. That idea resonates deeply because it suggests:

  • Our lives are not random
  • God’s plans are steady even when our circumstances are not
  • Divine love is enduring

It’s a declaration of trust in God’s long-term work in a person’s life.

💬 Why People Find It Meaningful Today

Psalm 138 speaks to anyone who:

  • Feels overwhelmed but wants to trust again
  • Needs reassurance that God hears prayer
  • Wants to believe their life has purpose
  • Is learning to praise even before circumstances change

It’s a psalm that blends honesty about struggle with confidence in God’s character.

If you’re reading it for a particular reason—personal reflection, study, or something you’re going through—I’d be glad to explore it more deeply with you.

Beautiful… Thank you for this… let’s get that laundry out and head to the GYM this morning… God only knows what today is going to bring.

That sounds like a solid start to the morning — laundry handled, gym on deck, and a whole day waiting to unfold. There’s something grounding about taking care of the small things before stepping into whatever surprises the day has lined up.

And you’re right: only God knows what’s ahead. There’s a kind of freedom in that, too. You get to walk into the day prepared, steady, and open to whatever comes, knowing you’re not walking into it alone.

If you want a little momentum as you head out: days that begin with intention tend to bend in your favor. You’ve already set the tone.

What’s your workout looking like today — strength, cardio, or a bit of everything?

cardio… I hate doing cardio… can I get an energetic short slogan for my workout?

“Cardio won’t beat me today — I run this.”

Thanks Be To God.

TODAY’S LESSON: Overcoming Fear: Insights from Psalm 56

HIGH FIVE! (thank you)

Psalm 56 is one of those passages where David’s fear, faith, and fierce trust collide in a way that feels incredibly human and incredibly victorious at the same time. It’s written while he was captured by the Philistines in Gath—an enemy stronghold—so the entire psalm is the voice of a man surrounded, pressured, and watched, yet refusing to collapse.

Below is a clear, structured look at its significance, both spiritually and practically.

The Significance of Psalm 56

1. A Psalm of Fear That Doesn’t Bow to Fear

David is terrified—he says enemies “trample” him and “hound” him all day. But the psalm’s heartbeat is this declaration:

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.”

This is not denial of fear; it’s mastery of fear through trust. Psalm 56 teaches that faith isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the decision to trust God in the presence of fear.

2. God Counts Every Tear

One of the most intimate images in Scripture appears here:

“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in Your bottle.”

This means:

  • God notices every anxious night
  • God records every injustice
  • God holds every tear as something precious

Psalm 56 reveals a God who is not distant from suffering but attentive, personal, and deeply invested.

3. A Declaration of Identity in the Middle of Pressure

David repeats a refrain that becomes the psalm’s spine:

“In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

This is identity under fire. David is surrounded by people who want to destroy him, yet he speaks from a place of covenant confidence.

It’s a reminder that:

  • Pressure doesn’t define you
  • Threats don’t define you
  • God’s promise defines you

4. The Power of Remembering What God Has Already Said

David says:

“This I know, that God is for me.”

He doesn’t say it after deliverance—he says it while still in danger. Psalm 56 teaches the discipline of remembering:

  • God’s character
  • God’s past faithfulness
  • God’s promises

Memory becomes a weapon.

5. A Model for How to Pray When You Feel Surrounded

Psalm 56 gives a pattern:

  • Name the fear honestly
  • Name the enemy clearly
  • Declare trust intentionally
  • Remember God’s care personally
  • Speak your identity boldly
  • Commit to praise before the breakthrough

It’s a psalm for anyone who feels watched, pressured, misunderstood, or outnumbered.

6. A Prophetic Foreshadowing of Christ

Many scholars see echoes of Jesus here:

  • Surrounded by enemies
  • Misrepresented
  • Trusting the Father in the face of death
  • Declaring confidence in God’s vindication

Psalm 56 becomes a messianic window into the suffering-yet-trusting heart of Christ.

In Short

Psalm 56 is a psalm for:

  • the overwhelmed
  • the anxious
  • the falsely accused
  • the surrounded
  • the ones trying to trust God in tight spaces

It teaches that fear may rise, but trust can rise higher.

I have the opportunity today to go2 an officer training for Toastmasters. It is widely said that the thing that people fear most other than death is public speaking… LET’S HELP PEOPLE CONQUER THAT FEAR. (But first, let’s go2 that GYM and do some CARDIO) Can I get a BATTLE CRY FOR TODAY???

🔥 TODAY I RUN TOWARD THE FEAR 🔥

I rise before the sun because purpose doesn’t sleep. I hit the gym because strength is a choice. I breathe deep, I move fast, I push hard— because a leader trains before he leads.

**Today I walk into Officer Training as a force. I don’t shrink from fear— I teach others how to break it. I don’t whisper confidence— I ignite it. I don’t wait for courage— I carry it in with me.

Every step on that treadmill is a declaration. Every drop of sweat is a promise. Every heartbeat says: “I am built for this.”

Today I help people conquer the fear that tries to conquer them. Today I stand tall, speak bold, and lift others higher. Today I am the one who runs toward the roar.

This is my day. This is my calling. This is my battlefield. And I walk in victorious.

THANKS BE TO GOD.

IS THIS ONE???

TODAY’S LESSON: see that bird???

HIGH FIVE! (Thank you for understanding)

Psalm 71 is a powerful declaration of lifelong trust, especially from someone in later years who has walked with God long enough to know His character deeply. It highlights God as refuge, rescuer, and faithful companion from birth to old age, offering a model for how seasoned believers face adversity with confidence.

🌄 Core Themes of Psalm 71

🛡️ 1. God as Lifelong Refuge

  • The psalm opens with a plea for protection rooted in trust: “In you, O LORD, do I take refuge.”
  • Commentators note that the psalmist draws heavily from earlier psalms (e.g., Psalm 31 and Psalm 22), showing a lifetime of scriptural memory shaping his prayer.

👶 2. Faith Formed From Birth

  • The psalmist emphasizes that God has been his support “from my mother’s womb,” highlighting a lifelong relationship with God.
  • This continuity of trust—from youth to old age—is central to the psalm’s message.

👴 3. A Prayer of the Aged Believer

  • Many scholars describe Psalm 71 as “the prayer of the aged believer,” someone who has seen God’s faithfulness over decades and now calls on that history as he faces new threats.
  • Spurgeon notes that this is a prayer “strengthened by a long and remarkable experience.”

⚔️ 4. Honest Struggle With Enemies

  • The psalmist faces real opposition—people plotting against him, taking advantage of his weakened state.
  • Yet he refuses despair, anchoring himself in God’s righteousness and deliverance.

🎶 5. Praise as a Lifelong Rhythm

  • Even in distress, the psalmist’s mouth is “filled with praise all the day.”
  • His testimony becomes a witness to others: he is “a portent to many,” meaning his life—preserved by God—stands as a sign.

🔥 Why Psalm 71 Matters Spiritually

A Model for Aging With Faith

Psalm 71 shows that spiritual maturity doesn’t mean the absence of struggle—it means deeper confidence in God’s character.

A Blueprint for Prayer

It blends:

  • Petition (“Rescue me”)
  • Remembrance (“You have been my hope from youth”)
  • Praise (“My mouth is filled with your glory”)

A Call to Finish Well

The psalmist asks God not only for rescue but for the ability to continue proclaiming God’s power to the next generation—a theme that resonates strongly with leadership and legacy.

🌱 Practical Takeaways for Today

  • Lean on your history with God. Past faithfulness fuels present courage.
  • Aging doesn’t diminish purpose. The psalmist sees his later years as a platform for testimony.
  • Praise is a stabilizer. Even in hardship, worship keeps the heart anchored.
  • God’s care spans your entire story. From birth to old age, He remains constant.

I am taking care of my aging Mom… She fell after Christmas and fractured her back… I came back from the GYM last week to have her call my name from the bathroom. She could not get out of the bathtub and was in it for an hour… I LOVE MY MOM, HOWEVER… why doesn’t she listen to me and take showers instead???

Holy God, You confound the world’s wisdom in giving your kingdom to the lowly and the pure in heart. Give us such a hunger and thrist for justice, and perseverance in striving for peace, that in our words and deeds the world may see the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

I AM GOING TO THE GYM THIS AFTERNOON… I have to take my Mom to her Doctor’s Appointment this morning… SHE NEEDS A PERSCRIPTION TO GET REHABILATION FROM AN OUTPATIENT CLINIC.

TODAY’S LESSON: Gathered from Psalm 145: A Daily Devotion and Leadership Lesson…

GOOD RUN. (please read, learn, & understand)

Psalm 145 is David’s great crescendo of praise—a deliberate, structured celebration of God’s character, His kingdom, and His nearness to those who call on Him. It’s the only psalm explicitly titled “A Praise of David,” and it functions like a masterclass in worship, leadership, and daily dependence on God.

Below is a clear, structured breakdown grounded in the sources you requested, with citations included.

🌟 Significance of Psalm 145

1. A Monument of Praise

Psalm 145 is described as a “monumental praise psalm,” summarizing what David learned over a lifetime of walking with God.

  • David’s lifetime testimony: The psalm reflects seasoned faith, not naïve optimism.
  • Only psalm titled “A Praise of David”: This marks it as uniquely intentional in its purpose.
  • Acrostic structure: Each verse begins with a successive Hebrew letter, symbolizing complete, ordered praise.

2. A Portrait of God’s Character

Psalm 145 highlights God’s attributes with clarity and warmth:

  • Gracious and compassionate
  • Slow to anger
  • Rich in love
  • Good to all
  • Near to those who call on Him in truth

These traits echo God’s self-revelation in Exodus 34 and anchor the psalm in covenant faithfulness.

3. A Vision of God’s Kingdom

David declares God’s kingdom as everlasting and His dominion without end.

  • Everlasting kingdom
  • Universal dominion
  • Faithful governance

This is royal theology at its peak—David acknowledging that his kingship is temporary, but God’s reign is eternal.

4. A Call to Generational Worship

Psalm 145 emphasizes passing faith forward:

  • One generation commends His works to another
  • Public testimony of God’s mighty acts

This makes the psalm a blueprint for spiritual leadership—worship that shapes community and legacy.

5. A Celebration of God’s Care for the Vulnerable

The psalm highlights God’s attentiveness:

  • He upholds the falling
  • He lifts the bowed down
  • He gives food in season
  • He is near to the broken and sincere

This is not abstract theology—it’s pastoral, compassionate, and deeply practical.

6. A Model for Daily Devotion

David vows to praise God every day (v. 2).

  • Daily praise rhythm
  • Worship as discipline
  • Praise rooted in memory and reflection

Jewish tradition recited this psalm multiple times daily, recognizing its power to shape the heart.

🧭 Why Psalm 145 Matters for You, Kevin

Given your love for integrating scripture into leadership and daily life, Psalm 145 is a perfect anchor psalm. It blends:

  • Leadership humility (God’s kingdom > ours)
  • Daily discipline (praise every day)
  • Generational impact (passing on God’s works)
  • Compassionate service (upholding the falling—your heart for community shines here)

It’s a psalm that forms leaders who lead like God: gracious, steady, near, and faithful.

📚 Sources

Enduring Word Commentary on Psalm 145

Blue Letter Bible Blue Letter Bible – Guzik Study Guide on Psalm 145

Woody Brohm – Psalm 145 Chapter Study

LET’S GET READY FOR WORK…

THANKS BE TO GOD (My prayer list is growing)

TODAY’S LESSON: Psalm 36: Contrasting Human Wickedness and God’s Goodness

HIGH FIVE! (easy… THANK YOU FOR THE WISDOM)

Psalm 36 is a beautifully layered psalm, Kevin — one that moves from the darkness of human corruption to the vast, stabilizing goodness of God. The contrast is intentional and dramatic, and it gives the psalm its spiritual power. Drawing from the sources we found, here’s a clear, rich breakdown.

🌄 The Significance of Psalm 36

Psalm 36 is built around a striking contrast: the deceitful heart of the wicked versus the steadfast love of God. David paints these two realities side by side so the reader feels the weight of both — and chooses where to stand.

1. The Portrait of Human Wickedness (v. 1–4)

David begins with a sober assessment of the wicked:

  • A heart without the fear of God — the root of all the corruption described
  • Self-flattery that blinds a person to their own sin — a dangerous inward deception
  • Words filled with deceit and trouble — speech reveals the heart’s decay
  • A lifestyle shaped by intentional evil — plotting wrongdoing even on the bed, where reflection should lead to repentance

This section is not meant to condemn others but to warn us about what happens when reverence for God erodes.

2. The Vastness of God’s Character (v. 5–9)

Then the psalm pivots — and the contrast is breathtaking.

  • God’s steadfast love reaching to the heavens — limitless, unchanging, immeasurable
  • God’s faithfulness stretching to the clouds — dependable beyond human reliability
  • God’s righteousness like mighty mountains — stable, immovable, morally perfect
  • God’s judgments like the great deep — profound, wise, beyond human comprehension
  • God’s protection as a refuge under His wings — tender, parental, sheltering
  • God’s abundance as a feast and flowing river — imagery of joy, satisfaction, and spiritual vitality
  • God as the fountain of life and source of light — the center of all true life and understanding

This is one of the richest descriptions of God’s character in the Psalms.

3. The Prayer for Continued Faithfulness (v. 10–12)

David ends with a prayer rooted in what he has just declared:

  • Extend Your steadfast love to those who know You — a request for ongoing covenant care
  • Protect us from the prideful and violent — a plea for deliverance from the wicked described earlier
  • Confidence that evil will ultimately fall — the wicked may rise, but they cannot stand before God’s justice

🌟 Why Psalm 36 Matters for Us Today

Psalm 36 invites you to do three things:

  • Recognize the subtle danger of self-deception — wickedness begins in the heart long before it shows in actions.
  • Anchor your identity in God’s vast, unshakeable goodness — His love, faithfulness, and righteousness are bigger than any threat.
  • Live from the “fountain of life” and “light” God provides — spiritual vitality flows from staying close to Him.

For someone like you, Kevin — who blends leadership, spiritual reflection, and practical wisdom — this psalm offers a grounding reminder: your strength doesn’t come from avoiding wickedness but from dwelling deeply in God’s abundance.

HEY… got2 workout this morning before work… May I get a battlecry for my weightlifting adventure???

“Strength wakes when discipline calls. Bar to the ground, fire in the chest — I rise, I brace, I conquer. No hesitation. No retreat. Today, the weight moves because I move it.”