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Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Your law. Psalm 119:29 Lord, overcome my corruptions, and grant me grace to live above them. Valley Vision, Puritan Prayers and Devotions, 1600/1700s

I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart. Psalm 119:32 If thou make little spiritual progress, at least to be desiring to make more; to be praying and walking, and praying that thou mayest walk faster, and that in the end thou mayest run. Robert Leighton, 1611-84, Scottish Archbishop of Glasgow, Principal of University…  ( Click for more )

Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. Psalm 119:18 The Holy Ghost enables men to recognize what is hid, to perceive beauty and to discover splendour where all before had appeared without form and comeliness. Henry Melvill, 1798-1871, clergyman Church of England, served as Canon St Paul's Cathedral

While powerful people maliciously gossip about me, I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel. (Message) Psalm 119:23 When difficult times and people come - and they will - we can decide to become bitter, angry, and brittle. Or, we can choose…  ( Click for more )

Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 As long as you aren’t being confronted with the Word, you can hide from the truth, excuse your sin, and run from the issue. Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas

Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes. Psalm 119:12 Nothing is more common than for men to think that because they are familiar with words they understand the ideas they stand for. Cardinal John H. Newman, 1801-90

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,…  ( Click for more )

The Lord is God, and He has given us light. Psalm 118:27 We carry about with us a light which had come from God; in His light we see light, and in this light we discern everything which the light manifests. J. C. Philpot, 1802-1869, English pastor, Huguenot descendant

Blessed are those whose way is upright, Who walk in the law of the Lord. Psalm 119:1 When we truly walk with God throughout our day, life slowly falls into place. Bill Hybels, b1951, pastor Willow Creek Community Church, Illinois

How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek…  ( Click for more )

.I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained… Psalm 8:3 The more we learn (untarnished by prejudice) about the wonders of our universe, the more clearly we are going to perceive the hand of God. Frank Borman, 1928 (Having created the universe) What is man that You are mindful of him… Psalm 8:4a

There are three important questions to ask ourselves: 1) who am I? 2) Why am I here? 3) Where am I going? Doug Sager, Senior Pastor, 1st Baptist Concord, Farragut, Tennessee (Having created the universe) what is…  ( Click for more )

The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. Psalm 118:14 Rejoice and live each day with confidence in an all-powerful sovereign God, who saved you and keeps you. Lifeway, Explore the Bible, Spring 2007

The Lord has disciplined me severely; But He has not given me over to death. Psalm 118:18 God’s correction proves our cure so that in the end, the purpose of His medicine rids us of our malady, and renders us healthy and vigorous. John Calvin, 1509-64, French reformer, theologian

The stone which the builders rejected Has become the…  ( Click for more )

The upright man will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7 Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold on the promises of God and cling to Him despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelm us. Jerry Bridges, 20th century

The upright man has given freely to the poor, His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor. Psalm 112:9A godly man’s liberality has salted his righteousness, proved its reality, and secured its perpetuity. Charles Haddon…  ( Click for more )

How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments. Psalm 112:1 We are happy when we have the disposition of a dutiful child toward a kind and gracious father, rather than that of a refractory slave toward a tyrannical and severe master. Joseph Benson, 1749–1821, English Methodist minister

(those who fear and obey the Lord) His descendants will be mighty on earth. Psalm 112:2a What we desire our children to become, we must endeavor to be before them. Andrew Combe, 1797–1847, Scottish physician and phrenologist.

The…  ( Click for more )

The trouble man causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head. Psalm 7:16 You reap what You SOW: Life is like a boomerang. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later, with astounding accuracy. Grant M. Bright, British-Born American Engineer

I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17 We, like the bird perched on a frail branch, sing even though we feel it bend, for we know God is faithful.

O Lord (the promise-making God), our Lord (the Sovereign, who…  ( Click for more )

My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. Psalm 7:10 Fear overcomes belief or belief overcomes fear. Dennis Cope, Christian teacher

God is a righteous judge, And in strength God has indignation against the wicked every day. Psalm 7:11

What is your response when others do their worst to you? Be encouraged that God knows what is happening and will judge sin. If you walk with integrity, you may be confident that God will deal with those who sin against you. Warren Wiersbe, American pastor and a prolific writer of Christian literature, b. 1929

If…  ( Click for more )

While they treat with contempt and dishonor, You will bless; they rise up and are ashamed; but Your servant will be glad. Psalm 109:28 Sometimes we have to "step over" our anger, our jealousy, our feelings of rejection and move on. The temptation is to get stuck in our negative emotions, poking around in them as if we belong there. Henri Nouwen, 1932-96, Dutch priest, professor, writer

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2 The works of God are ofttimes not apprehended or minded; as a result…  ( Click for more )

He has shattered gates of bronze And cut bars of iron asunder. Psalm 107:16 God wants us to be victors, not victims; to grow, not grovel; to soar, not sink; to overcome, not to be overwhelmed. William Arthur Ward, 1812-82

They cried out to the Lord in their trouble (that they had brought on themselves); He saved them out of their distresses. Psalm 107:19 If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest. Corrie Ten Boom, 1892-1983Dutch evangelist

He…  ( Click for more )

O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. Psalm 7:1,2

You know you’re surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God work. You don’t have to always be in charge. Instead of trying harder, you trust more. Rick Warren, author, pastor

O LORD my God (I’m innocent), if I repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have…  ( Click for more )

(David fled from King Saul’s renewed desire to kill him) and went to . Jonathan (who said) You shall not die! why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so!" 1 Samuel 20:1,2

The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by tenderness of the best hearts. Henry Fielding (1707 - 1754) English novelist

(David persuaded Jonathan of the possibility that his father, King Saul was trying to kill him and said) . deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. 1 Samuel 20:3-8

Friendship,…  ( Click for more )

.all Israel and Judah loved David . (when King Saul offered his older daughter to him) David said, "Who am I, . that I should be son-in-law to the king?" 1 Samuel 18:16-18

He who takes his rank (or status, or ability or appearance) lightly raises his own dignity. Hebrew proverb

(after a failed attempt to get David killed by the Philistines and the marriage of his daughter to David) Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David's enemy continually. 1 Samuel 18:29

I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly…  ( Click for more )

Then Jonathan (king Saul’s son) made a covenant with David (a shepherd) because he loved him as himself. 1 Samuel 18:3

Despite the social and cultural differences, we (Christians) have a bond that is stronger than flesh and blood. “The Voice of the Lord” Lewis and Harriet Lederer Foundation, Inc. Messianic Jewish Publishers

And Jonathan (dressed as a prince) took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David (who was dressed as a shepherd), with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt. 1 Samuel 18:4

.the richsaint…  ( Click for more )

David sent to ask about (the beautiful woman he saw bathing).. 2 Samuel 11:3a

(David already had many wives and concubines)

You say, 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92, British Reformed Baptist, highly influential amongst Christians of different denominations

(They said to David about the beautiful woman) ‘Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’ David…  ( Click for more )

(after the enemy fled from battle) Joab left off fighting the Ammonites and returned to Jerusalem. the Syrians. regrouped (and) sent for the Syrians who were across the River. 2 Samuel 10:14-16

Partial defeat stirs up our foes to stronger struggles. Alexander Maclaren, 1826-1910, British Baptist expository preacher

When (the enemy’s regrouping) was told to David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan and defeated them and they made peace with Israel. 2 Samuel 10:17-19a

Why try to fight the battle on the field of (the enemy’s)…  ( Click for more )

When Joab saw that he had two fronts to fight, before and behind, he took his pick of the best of Israel and deployed them to confront the (stronger enemy). The rest of the army he put under the command of Abishai, his brother, and deployed them to confront the (weaker enemy). 2 Samuel 10:9,10 Maximize the potential that God has provided. Doug Sager, Christian Preacher

Joab to Abishai, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 2 Samuel 10:11

We serve under…  ( Click for more )

King David sent and brought Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s remaining son who is lame in his feet, out of (a place of hiding and poverty). David said ., "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually. 2 Samuel 9:3-7

I choose faithfulness...Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that…  ( Click for more )

(David prays) You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. .You, O Lord God, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever. 2 Samuel 7:28,29

True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie. It is enough that God has said it. A. W. Tozer

King David dedicated . to the Lord, . the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued (for the future temple which he was not allowed to build). 2 Samuel 8:11 …  ( Click for more )

For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness (and) to let Your servant know. 2 Samuel 7:21

He has set forth by His Word the secrets of His will that He has decided to reveal to us. These He decided to reveal in so far as He foresaw that they would concern and benefit us. John Calvin 1509-64, The Institutes of the Christian Religion

You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 2 Samuel 7:22

May my testimony inspire…  ( Click for more )

The LORD has heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer. Psalm 6:9

Rather than repeated repetitions; reexamine, realign and revise prayer until there is a resolve that it is within God’s preferred will.

Let all my enemies be ashamed (confounded) and greatly troubled; Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly. Psalm 6:10

For what good can thy neighbor's ill do for thee? If he had no ill, he would not even be thine enemy. (Pray) that he may end his ill, and he will be thine enemy no longer. St. Augustine

You will be made rich in every…  ( Click for more )

Moses . stood in the breach before Him.. Psalm 106:23b How greatly the intercession of the saints on behalf of others prevaileth with God. Saint Augustine of Hippo 354-430

Then Phinehas stood up and interposed, And so the plague (as a result of sin) was stayed; it was reckoned to him for righteousness, To all generations forever. Psalm 106:30-31 My legacy to my family - ‘It’s stopping here’ – my sin stops with me! Joyce Meyer, 1943- Christian teacher, author They shed innocent blood, The blood of their sons and their daughters, Whom…  ( Click for more )