The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

“…In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

I am so glad I didn’t miss it! On the day I am writing this prescription, I got up long before sunrise. Sitting near the three windows by my writing desk, I am greeted with the beautiful songs of the birds in our backyard. It is still dark. But it is almost like they are confident that dawn is coming. Their Creator will bring them through this nighttime experience, and soon it will be light. Come to think of it, that is just exactly what the songs of the Lord in this verse will do for you as well. Trust Him!

For today: I need to be as smart as the little birds in my yard. How about you?

“Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me (Psalm 42:8).

Yesterday we thought about God’s lovingkindness, hesed which means His loyal, unfailing love which comes to the believer throughout the day. But what about those long, sleepless nights when they come? What gets the believer through those experiences? The answer is, the Lord’s songs. The Psalmist expresses the great help and delight of the lyrics and songs of the Lord. Evidently these songs brought great hope and encouragement to him in the night season.

For today: What kind of songs are you listening to? The songs of the Lord will build your life and comfort you in the night.

“Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime…” (Psalm 42:8a).

The writer of this Psalm expresses very deep and precious emotions. He speaks of his yearning to know God better (1-2) and his tears (3). What will help him during the day? It is the promise that God is working in his life. The word “command” speaks of God’s appointment. Lovingkindness is the precious Old Testament word hesed which speaks of His loyal love that cannot fail. This is not the absence of trouble, hardship, or difficulty. It is rather the sheer delight of being held securely in His loving hands.

For today: Be on the alert for His lovingkindness.

“And let us not be weary in well doing” (Galatians 6:9).

Paul’s encouragement to the churches of Galatia is just what we need today. You know what weariness is. It is that sense of growing tired. It is the strong inclination to quit. The Apostle admonished the Galatians not to become tired of doing the right thing. The Lord is fully able to give His people the strength to do what is right.

For today:  Do the right thing today. The Lord is the source of your strength. Don’t grow tired of doing what is right.

“Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid” (Romans 6:1).

Paul posed a strong and very pointed question when he asked if we should continue on in sin and expect that God’s grace would just always be available. There is danger in developing an attitude like this. Wise believers seek to please the Lord. We rejoice in His patience, but we also understand that we do not push His patience with our sinful living. He truly wants to give us victory over doubt and disobedience. His grace is wonderful.

For today: God is greater than any struggle you will ever encounter. Trust His grace and ask for His help.