Daily Bible Devotionals

“Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give them according to the work of their hands; render to them what they deserve. Because they do not regard the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up.” Psalm 28:3-5 (NKJV)

Grace is a gift. It’s getting something we do not deserve. Mercy is more closely attached to punishment. Mercy means we do not get what we deserve, at least to the extent that the law says we should have gotten it. Mercy is always at the discretion of the judge or the person offended. Often, after having arrested a perpetrator in a domestic dispute, the police will ask the person offended if they want to press charges. Whenever the person offended says “no,” the perpetrator has received mercy. Whenever a jury recommends a life sentence for a convicted felon, and the judge reduces that sentence, the felon has received mercy. Neither the judge nor the person offended is under any compulsion to extend mercy, and neither would be at fault for demanding the full extent of the law to fall upon an offender. Still, the law allows for mercy. When our eternities are on the line, with God’s standard being perfection and us falling short, I am certainly glad God is willing to extend His mercy toward us through Messiah Jesus!

David’s psalm combines both his personal plea for mercy, “...Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity...”, and his demand for his enemies’ justice, “...give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors...”. That’s pretty much where we live: in need of mercy yet demanding justice. What separated David as a human from his enemies, i.e., what separates sinners like us from sinners like them? David faithfully believed the Lord’s Word and received salvation by grace, in addition to God’s mercy. David acknowledged that it was the Lord who had established him and glorified Him.  David’s enemies refused to “acknowledge the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands.”  We are reminded of Peter’s response to Jesus’ provision of the “great haul of fish,” even though Peter cast the net. The difference between believers & unbelievers is how believers know Who deserves the credit for their salvation.

“Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your Word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Luke 5:3-8 (NKJV)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Psalm 27. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I live by Your truth. I do not sit with the worthless or associate with hypocrites. I hate a crowd of evildoers, and I do not sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence and go around Your altar, Lord, raising my voice in thanksgiving and telling about Your wonderful works. Lord, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides. Do not destroy me along with sinners, or my life along with men of bloodshed in whose hands are evil schemes and whose right hands are filled with bribes. But I live with integrity; redeem me and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; I will praise the Lord in the assemblies.” Psalm 26:1-12 (HCSB)

Vindication is needed whenever a person has been unjustly accused of a crime. We do not know the crime of which David was accused, but we know there was a time when he was unjustly pursued by Saul’s army. Saul had to convince his army that David deserved to be punished, so we can be certain the basis for that pursuit was a lie. However, vindication works both ways. Vindication not only clears the innocent; it also makes accusations certain. For instance, if you unjustly accused your neighbor of stealing your lawnmower, your neighbor would be vindicated if the police found your lawnmower in your own garage. Likewise, if your neighbor accused you of stealing his lawnmower, although you are typically an upstanding citizen and your neighbors did not believe the accusation, your neighbor would be vindicated if the police found his lawnmower in your garage.

So, what kind of retribution is David pleading? In some ways, BOTH. David wants vindication because he is innocent, but his accusations about his enemies’ guilt are also proven right. As with many psalms, David’s words also remind us of Jesus, the “Son of David,” who was unjustly accused.

The word “lovingkindness” in verse 3 (translated as “faithful love” in other Bible versions) is more akin to “mercy.” That is, David is a man, hence, not perfect. His plea for vindication is based more on God’s mercy than his own righteousness. For instance, he also pleads in verse 9, “Do not destroy me along with sinners….” David knows he deserves judgment, so he seeks retribution from God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) David has placed his faith in God and His Word. David’s works are merely evidence of his faith, but His vindication must come from God alone.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV) (see also: Romans 5:6-11)

“Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to Your mercy remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.” Psalm 25:4-11 (NKJV)

Today’s psalm, a psalm of David, is titled “A Plea for Deliverance And Forgiveness.”  There is something both comforting and irritating about God’s mercy. It is comforting because we all need it. Apparently, we need it often because the Bible says God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).  While each of us receives God’s mercy, delivered daily to our doorsteps, we typically are slow to dispense mercy to others. We tend to want to see people “learn their lessons” rather than give them a fresh start. In today’s psalm, David is not simply looking for forgiveness; he wants to learn from his circumstances so that he will not sin again. David shows himself to be a man after God’s own heart because his plea to learn God’s Word, His “paths,” echoes the heart of God, speaking through Jeremiah.

“Thus says the Lord: Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”  Jeremiah 6:16 (NKJV)

The process of adopting a value system that aligns with God’s Word is not merely the byproduct of listening to sermons or taking notes during classroom lectures. We learn to value God’s Word when we obey it. We also learn when we don’t obey it, we suffer the consequences. God’s mercy is so wonderful in that it allows us to experience the pain of the consequences of disobedience, but not to the extent as to destroy any chances of our full restoration and Kingdom usefulness.

“Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth.” Psalm 25:12-13 (NKJV)

David’s declaration reminds us of the “Son of David,” Messiah Jesus, and lends understanding to Jesus’s beatitude message.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 (NKJV)

Meekness means “power under submission.” David’s psalm gives us the source of that “earth inheriting” meekness: Obedience to God’s Word, the ancient path that leads to life. Not just life for the individual but for the entire nation. (Psalm 25:22)

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face.  Selah” Psalm 24:1-6 (NKJV)

Today’s psalm begins with a very obvious, yet often overlooked, fact when people consider the various world religions and how the adherents of those religions coexist in society: There is only ONE TRUE GOD…and He is the God of all men, everywhere. There is only one true God, and He has articulated through the Bible how mankind must worship Him and that all other religion, regardless of how ancient they may be (or how sincere their followers are), is false. The apostle Paul addressed this very issue.

(Paul speaking) “‘God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.’ And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter.’ So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.” Acts 17:24-34 (NKJV)

God is exclusive in His divinity, yet he liberally desires for all men to be saved.

“Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants - everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant - even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “Yet I will gather to him others besides those who are gathered to him.” Isaiah 56:6-8 (NKJV)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJV)

As perhaps the best-known psalm in the world (definitely one of the most familiar passages in the Bible for believers and non-believers alike), Psalm 23 covers both fear of the present and hope for the future in their greatest extremes. So, how do we unpack the gravity of this passage in a few short paragraphs? Frankly, it cannot be done, but let’s try to anyway!  

Everyone, everywhere, regardless of their station of life or ethnicity, resonates with the idea that they are sheep in need of a shepherd. After all, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray.” (Isaiah 53:6). Sadly, most of the people who apply for the job of shepherd (religious and political leaders) fall short of God’s standard. At best, they are flawed shepherds. We can all agree the world is weary of self-serving “bad shepherds”; those whose care for the flock only extends to their provision of mutton and wool! That is why Jesus introduced Himself as the Good Shepherd, the long-awaited Messiah. (John 10:11-18). His feeding of the 5000 (Mark 6:30-44) is a direct parallel with Psalm 23, right down to making His followers lie down in the green grass. It is easy to accept a shepherd who feeds, cares for, and guides us, but where is a good shepherd during hard times? Does He abandon his flock? Absolutely not! Even in the midst of life’s greatest hardships, His is right here with us.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

Where else do we find this “shadow of death” concept in the Bible?

“Give glory to the Lord your God before He causes darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and while you are looking for light, He turns it into the shadow of death and makes it dense darkness. But if you will not hear it, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.” Jeremiah 13:16-17 (NKJV)

The “shadow of death” is a condition we bring about ourselves. It does not refer to a sickness or disease, per se. The “shadow of death” is the result of our idolatry. The fact that Psalm 23 informs us that the Good Shepherd is with us in the “valley of the shadow” is a sign of His mercy and willingness to forgive us from our lowest places. Lastly, once we are restored, we dwell in His presence by His grace!

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.”  Psalm 23:5-6 (see also: Jeremiah 52:31-34; Revelation 21:3-4; John 14:2-3) (NKJV)

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent. But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, ‘He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!’ But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb, You have been My God.” Psalm 22:1-10 (NKJV)

It is a fairly common occurrence that whenever I discuss the idea of Messiah with Jewish non-believers, in order to get the conversation started, I propose some ground rules. They will not speak from the Talmud (a collection of extra-Biblical rabbinic opinions), and I will not speak from the New Testament. After all, if Jesus is the Messiah, then He should be clearly seen in the TANAKH (Hebrew Old Testament). “Fair enough,” they say, and off we go. But it never fails that whenever I read Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, the Jewish non-believer says, “STOP! You said you would not speak from the New Testament, and you are obviously talking about Jesus!”  I simply turn the Bible around and show them that King David could describe Messiah Jesus more clearly hundreds of years before His crucifixion than their rabbi can see Him today, 2000 years after the fact.

One of the most misunderstood statements that Jesus made from the cross was, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”  Often, so-called “experts” put forth that in the midst of the trauma of crucifixion, Jesus stammered in His faith and lost sight of the goal. I overheard (and quickly corrected) one Israeli non-believing tour guide who taught his tour group, “Every prayer Jesus prayed, God answered, except for His selfish prayer that the “cup would be removed” from Him in the garden. Then Jesus caught Himself and said, ‘Nevertheless…’ Even on the cross, He was unsure of God’s deliverance and asked, ‘Why have You forsaken Me…?’”  Let me say, that guide was not at all happy when I stepped in to give the proper Biblical understanding of the passage.

So, what did Jesus mean when He asked, “Why…?” Well, what is the subject matter of the psalm? It is the prophetic confession of Messiah, Who would bear the sin of both Israel and the world. Jesus was not confused, and His faith had not faltered. He was quoting a psalm about Himself - not only His unjust punishment but also the hope of His resurrection! Anyone who knew the first part of the psalm knew the rest.  

“You have answered Me. I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You. You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you offspring of Israel! Psalm 22:21b-24

“For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.” Psalm 21:7 (NKJV)

Psalm 21 has thirteen verses. The first six verses deal with God’s salvation of David, with strong Messianic overtones. For instance, David speaks of the recipient of God’s salvation as having his days extended “forever and ever” and that he is “blessed forever  .”Also to consider is that Jesus’ Name in Hebrew is Yeshua, which means “God saves.”  

“He asked life from You, and You gave it to him - length of days forever and ever. His glory is great in Your salvation; honor and majesty You have placed upon him. For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.” Psalm 21:4-6 (NKJV)

For a moment, let’s consider that David was not speaking about Messiah. David’s words, then, indicate he believed in the resurrection and anticipated to spend eternity in God’s presence, that his earthly deliverances were only foreshadowing of a permanent heavenly one.

The last six verses of Psalm 21 focus on the judgment of God’s enemies. Fire and arrows are His tools of wrath. Arrows are silent, swift, and come from afar. God says that His enemies are hit when they least expect it, and His judgment comes quickly. Of course, we see fire as a means of judgment throughout Scripture. Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-Nego were saved through the furnace (without even smelling of smoke), while the men who threw them into the fire were burned alive. (Daniel 3) Most notably, the “Lake of Fire” (alongside the Word of God/the sword from Jesus’ mouth) is the final instrument of judgment in the Revelation.

“They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:9-10 (NKJV)

If we are not cautious, we can scan today’s psalm and see it in two parts: God saves the righteous and punishes the unrighteous. But is anyone righteous before God on their own merit? (Romans 3:10) Don’t we all deserve punishment for sinning and falling short of God’s glory? (Romans 3:32) So, how can anyone be considered righteous? Smack in the middle of Psalm 21 is verse 7. David trusted in the Lord, and in His MERCY, God delivered him. David was not righteous, but his applied faith in God’s Word was counted as righteousness. Therefore, God chose to bestow MERCY (not getting what he deserved). And that is how we are saved today. God’s Grace (gift) is that we receive MERCY when we place our faith in the Living Word (John 1:1-14), Jesus, turning from our sin and committing to follow Him. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Psalm 20. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

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