Bible Reading: 2080825

Psalm 35-42

“They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.” Psalm 35:12-14

Lord, I know that it is not in me to pray for one who is my enemy. Lord, I pray that You would give me Thy heart for people, even for those who would seek my harm and to use me; for I know that my heart is not perfect and that if I truly were faced with this situation, that I very well may allow bitterness to come into my heart and for me to wish cursing rather than blessing. Help me to be like Thy beloved Son Jesus Christ who was willing to give His life for the salvation of the world, or like Paul who was willing to spend and be spent for the gospel’s sake.

“Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” Psalm 35:27

Lord, thank You that Thou hast pleasure in the prosperity of Thy servant! Lord, I know that to Thee even the death of Thy saints is precious in Thy sight and that in itself is the prosperity of heaven. Lord, I thank Thee that like Joseph, even in adversity, You prospered him and that You do the same for us continually. Thank You that your prosperity is not always in silver or gold, but in favor, loving kindness, and a good name. Help me always to see Thy prosperity that I may rejoice in Thee and have a merry heart.

“Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.” Psalm 39:6

Lord, I continually fret over the productivity of my life, how that it is never up to par. But Lord, in my best state, it is all empty. Lord, the works of my hands shall come to naught and I shall be found with nothing but wood, hay, and stubble. Lord, I pray that the works of my hands would be for Thy glory and that Thou would use me for in Thy glorious plan. Lord, help me to be a man who does not heap up riches but rather that gives them for Thy ministry’s sake. Lord, I desire for Thee to gather my riches and to use them for Thy honor.

“I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.” Psalm 40:9-10

O’ Lord, that my words would show forth Thy righteousness. Lord, I do not speak of Thee and Thy wondrous works enough dear Lord. I ask of Thee forgiveness and ask that You would give me boldness to speak Thy truth plainly that the world might know there is a God in heaven.

Bible Reading: 2080822

Psalm 27-34

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up forever.” Psalm 28:7-9

Lord, I pray that today Thou wouldst be my strength. Help me to rejoice in my heart and delight in Thee. Help me to be physically strong that I may overcome this illness and to do well in my responsibilities. More so I ask Thee Lord that You would help me to have the strength to be more disciplined in my daily walk. Help me to be an early riser and to be someone who cares more for his physical body so that I might have the ability to serve Thee in a greater capacity.

"Blessed be the LORD: for he hath showed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city.” Psalm 31:21

Lord, I praise Thee for Thy marvelous kindness unto me. Lord, Thou has sustained me through times of troubles and given me reason to be at peace and to rejoice. Help me to be more grateful for the goodness You bestow on my life daily.

“O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31: 23-24

Lord, help me to be a proud doer. Help me to follow after Thee in truth and righteousness so that I might be counted among Thy faithful followers. Lord, strengthen my heart and help me to hope in Thee that I may persist in my goings and finish the task Thou hast given unto me.

Bible Reading: 2080819

Psalm 19-26

“More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:10-14

Lord, this one thing I know, that there are many other things that I desire seemingly more than Thy word. Lord, I pray that Thou wouldst teach me to desire Thee more than the riches of this world and to be upright in my ways because of the warning they give to me. Help me to keep them so that I may be rewarded in my later end. Lord, I have secret faults that are without number and it seems that my sins have dominion over me. Lord, I desire to be upright and innocent from transgression. Let not these words be spoken vainly but truly that they may be acceptable in Thy sight.

“Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Psalm 24:8”

Lord, I thank Thee for being the King of glory. Thank you that Thou art strong and mighty. Lord, I ask that you would stand before me in battle today. Help me to live for Thee and to proclaim Thy name in all the earth. Be Thou my strength and strong tower.

“All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.” Psalm 25:10-13

Lord, I desire to live in ease upon the earth. Lord, I beg of Thee to pardon my sin and iniquity for as David’s was great, as is mine. Lord, help me to fear Thee and teach me Thy ways that I might know Thy mercy and truth, the my path should be straight.

“But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.” Psalm 26:11-12

Lord, I pray that I would be a man of integrity that I might see Thy mercy. Help me not to be moved by the vain imaginations of this world. I desire to bless Thee as David did in Thy congregation. Lord, may my heart always be grateful for the blessings that have been bestowed upon me.

Bible Reading: 2080818

Psalm 11-18

For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. Psalm 11:7

Lord, my heart’s desire today is that you would help me live as a righteous man and to be upright in my ways. Lord, there are many hopes and desires that I have for my life, but I pray that they would merely be a reflection of what Thy desires would be. Truly, the dreams and visions I have for my life, I pray that they would only be shadows of what you truly have in store for me and my family. But help me to be the Christian that I need to be to receive such a blessing.

But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5-6

Lord, truly Thou hast dealt bountifully with me. Lord, though I sin against Thee, Thou still give me such things as I need and more. Lord, despite my failures and weaknesses, You still have mercy upon me so that I might rejoice and have gladness of heart. Thank you for Thy blessings and for the peace Thou hast bestowed upon my life.

A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15

Lord, my desire is that I would never be moved from Thee, but I know that in my heart dwelleth no good thing. My heart does not speak the truth, but it seems that the only thing that comes from it are wicked imaginations. Lord, help me to walk uprightly and to hold Thy word in my heart that I might not sin against Thee. Help me not to speak ill of my neighbor but to fear Thee. Lord help me to do the things which Thou hast written in Thy word that my foot shall not be removed and that I may dwell in Thy holy hill.

Bible Reading: 2080815

Psalm 3-10

“O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah. But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.” Psalm 4:2-3

Lord, how long will I bring dishonor to Thee? My desire is truly to follow after Thee and to live a disciplined, productive life. But Lord, I continually find myself giving sway to the desires of my flesh. Lord help me to live a life more wholly given to Thee. Help me to rise earlier and to go to bed at a an hour that would allow for proper rest, so that my spirit would be refreshed and motivated to serve Thee and to work hard. Thank you for the blessings Thou hast already bestowed on me and for the victories Thou hast allowed me to have. Now Lord, I pray that they would continue.

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

Lord, I thank Thee for the love, protection, and prosperity that you have given me. Lord, I know there may come a day when I have a season of reproach as Job did, but Lord, help me to rejoice in thee always. Thank you for the sweet sleep you have given unto Thy servant and for the safety from harm. Lord help me to honor Thee with my life today and live in such a way that sinners would be turned unto Thee.

“The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.” Psalm 7:8

Lord, this is a statement that I fear I may never be able to say with a clear conscience. Lord, I am not a man of righteousness or integrity as David was. Lord, though I am made righteous through the blood of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, I do not live in such a way as to honor his Holy name. Lord, help me to stand firm and to eschew evil, and to stand firm in Thy word.

Bible Reading: 2080813

Job 37-Psalms 2

“Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?” Job 40:7-9

“Lord, the wickedness of my heart continually pulls me from Thee. I beg Thee for Thy mercy upon me and ask that you will help me to gird up my loins like a man and declare Thy judgments righteous.”

Bible Reading: 2080812

Job 29-36

“After my words they spoke not again and my speech dropped upon them.” Job 29:22

What does it take to become a man of such wisdom and knowledge that when he speaks, men do not dispute his judgment? Lord, I am a man of such little understanding that I almost prefer to not open my mouth because surly there are those who would debate , dispute, or question my logic. Lord, I ask you to do as you said you would in the book of James and give wisdom liberally unto me that I may bring Thee honor.

Bible Reading: 2080811

Job 21-28

“Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job 26:14

Lord, it is difficult for me to understand everything that is spoken of in this book, but of a truth, this statement is something that I can acknowledge as great. Lord, I know so little of Thee and do not walk in Thy ways. I read of men like Job, David, and Paul and wonder what it must have been that caused them to follow after Thee with their whole hearts. Lord, I ask that you would continually teach and purge me from my sin. Help me to do all that I can to understand Thy ways.

“My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.” Job 27:4-6

O’ to be a man who followed after Thee dear Lord as Job did; so much so as he could say I hold fast to my righteousness and my integrity. Lord, it seems that every time a trial comes to pass in my life that my lips speak wickedness of Thee and my tongue utters deceit. Lord, cleans me of the sin of my lips and help me to speak true and right thing. Help me to rejoice in times of trials that I may be exalted in the end and that Thy glory shall be declared. Help me to be a man of integrity.

“And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28

Lord, there is not much more to say than I desire to fear Thee and to have wisdom. I desire to depart from evil and to understand Thy ways. Make me know the path in which I should go that Thou would be honored and glorified with my life. Help me to rejoice in Thee and to be grateful for the prosperity in which Thou has prospered me.

Bible Reading: 2080808

Job 13-20

“But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value. O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.” Job 13:4-5

Aside from the fact that people do not like to be criticized, they like it even less when they are accused falsely. Lord, help me to be an encouragement to the downtrodden. Help me to lift those up who have fallen as Job has and not to be a forger of lies or a physician of no value. Help me to silence my critical and judgmental lips so that I might be a true friend to those around me.

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15

Lord, I know that to be slain is the last thing that I want. I desire a prosperous life, filled with good things, praise, and purpose. But Lord, though I fear to ask this of Thee, help me to trust in Thee, even if it means my destruction. It is not my desire for my life to come for naught, but if it would bring you glory, help me to be willing to receive it.

Bible Reading: 2080807

Job 5-12

“If thou wouldest seek unto God quickly, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou wast pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.” Job 8:5-6

It is amazing how we so often equate prosperity with right living and times of trials as a sign of His displeasure. Lord, I truly am a blind man when it comes to seeing the reality of the things that I face. I can never know exactly why I may be facing a trial or temptation, but Lord, help me to know how I ought to behave myself during those times. Help me to bless Thee when things seem bleak.

Bible Reading: 2080806

Esther 7-Job 4

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Job 1:1

The opening verse is the crux of the entire story and why Job is made to endure the trials of afflicting that await him. Lord, I know in my heart that I do not fear Thee the way that I ought and that my heart has grown cold and apathetic to the evil that is before me day by day. Lord, I desire to grow closer to Thee but I know that in and of myself, there is no possible way, because I am evil at heart. Lord, help me through Thy word and the power of Thy Spirit to eschew evil. Help me to apply Thy word to my heart and to meditate thereon day and night. Help me to commit my works unto Thee that my thoughts shall be established.

“ In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job 1:22

Lord, what does it take to become a man of such integrity? If ever there were a trial that I had faced near to the trail of Job, I fear that I would have not only sinned and charged Thee foolishly, I doubt I could have continued living. Lord, day by day, I know that Thou art teaching me and refining me, but Lord, I doubt that I will ever be able to speak as Job did because it seems that even small things frustrate me to anger. Lord, forgive me and help me to love and follow after Thee in such a way that I might bless Thee in times of trails.

Bible Reading: 2080805

Nehemiah 12-Esther 6

“And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.” Nehemiah 13:25-26

Lord, may I always thank you for the truths that you have taught me and that you taught me concerning the person I should marry. Thank You for my beloved wife that You gave to me and for the grace that You have shown me in helping me to know what I ought to look for in a wife. Help me to be good to her and to help her to follow after Thee.

“Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14

Lord, there is nothing to gain but a destitute life by sitting by and allowing the world to perish. Help me to be a man of action that I might be used to reach the world.

Bible Reading: 2080804

Nehemiah 4-11

“Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” Nehemiah 6:8-9

Lord, help me not to be afraid of what other people would say of me so that I would be slack from Thy work. Strengthen my hands to follow after Thee and to do the work appointed to me.

“Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee. And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.” Nehemiah 6:10-11

Lord, help me not to fear those who conspire to attack those who follow after Thee. Help me not to flee in the face of adversity.

“So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.” Nehemiah 6:15-16

Lord, I pray thee that Thou wouldst do a work in our day that even our enemies would know that it was wrought by Thee. Help us as we strive to serve and follow after Thee and to reach the world with the gospel.