In the Time of Old Age

Posted on June 10, 2018 by Tim Farley

Psalm 719 [widescreen]

Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. I do not publish devotional material on Sundays, but I do include a suggested reading for the day. Please be sure to subscribe to this page so you can read through the Book of Psalms with us in 2018.

Reading the Word

Psalm 71:7–18 (ESV)

⁷ I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. ⁸ My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. ⁹ Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. ¹⁰ For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together ¹¹ and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.” ¹² O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! ¹³ May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt. ¹⁴ But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. ¹⁵ My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. ¹⁶ With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. ¹⁷ O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. ¹⁸ So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

You Are My Rock and My Fortress

Posted on June 9, 2018 by Tim Farley

Photo by Riccardo Bresciani on Pexels.com

Reading the Word

Psalm 71:1–6 (ESV)

¹ In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! ² In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! ³ Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. ⁴ Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. ⁵ For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. ⁶ Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.

Understanding and Applying the Word

This psalm expresses the hope and trust of one who depends on the Lord for deliverance. God is called his rock and his fortress. Both of these images speak of stability and safety.

Trust is often something that develops over time through experience. This is something that has taken place in the psalmist’s life as well. He states, “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Upon you I have leaned from before my birth.” The psalmist has a long experience with God’s faithfulness and care in his life and it leads him to trust in God in his present situation.

As you look back on your life, notice how God has lovingly and faithfully brought you to where you are right now. He has been with you all the way and He will continue to be with you in the future. You can trust in Him as you face today and tomorrow and every day in His strength.

**Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. Please use the links at the bottom to subscribe to this page. You can also share this post with your friends through social media using the buttons below. Thanks for reading!

I Will Praise the Name of God

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Tim Farley

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Reading the Word

Psalm 69:29–33 (ESV)

²⁹ But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high! ³⁰ I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. ³¹ This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. ³² When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. ³³ For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners.

Understanding and Applying the Word

David’s focus shifts from being troubled to one of praise. We see the transition in verse 29. As he trusts in the salvation of God, he breaks out into praise of God.

In these verses, David says, “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.” His point is that God is more interested in praise that Issues forth from the heart than he is in our physical sacrifices. What good are “horns and hoofs” to God? Compare Psalm 50:12-15 to see God’s thoughts on this.

Trusting in God does more than bring us through difficulty. It results in worship. Not just the physical act of worship, but praise that issues forth from the heart. When we know the word of God and trust in it, that God will fulfill the promises he has made, we can not only face every circumstance, but we can sing out praises to God knowing that he is the source of our salvation.

Let the Righteous Rejoice in the Lord

Posted on May 18, 2018 by Tim Farley

smiling woman wearing black jacket and pants jumping in brown open field

Photo by Pete Johnson on Pexels.com

Reading the Word

Psalm 64:7–10 (ESV)

⁷ But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly. ⁸ They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads. ⁹ Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done. ¹⁰ Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult!

Understanding and Applying the Word

The world can often seem unfair and even cruel. Wicked and evil people seem to get away with their actions. Swindlers sometimes seem to prosper from their lies and deceit. And the innocent and weak may seem to be taken advantage of.

But Scripture tells us a different story. God’s word tells us that evil will be judged by an all-knowing God. In the end, truth and justice will prevail as God deals with all of mankind with perfect justice. In that day, the righteous will rejoice and the wicked will be brought to ruin. So, today we live by faith in God’s promise to judge evil as we live for him in a world that is always seeking to devour the weak for profit.

As you read this, you may be wondering how anyone will escape God’s judgment. That is a good question. The Bible says we are all sinners and stand condemned by our sin. Yet God in His grace has provided His Son as payment for our sin. He went to the cross as a perfect sacrifice. And Jesus rose from the dead in victory over sin. God’s word tells us that if we repent of our sin and trust in the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf, we will find forgiveness and salvation. This is the free gift of a loving and gracious God for all who will believe. Will you trust Him today?

All Who Swear by Him Shall Exult

Posted on May 16, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 63:9–11 (ESV)

⁹ But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; ¹⁰ they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. ¹¹ But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

Understanding and Applying the Word

In these words, we read David’s confidence that God would defeat his enemies. David is the king of verse 11 and he mentions that God’s deliverance would result in rejoicing and exultation and that the mouths of liars would be stopped as a result of God’s judgment.

In the previous verses we heard David say that God’s love was greater than life as he was facing great danger at the hands of his enemies (verse 3). In the New Testament we see Jesus going to the cross and showing us what it looks like when the Father’s love truly is our greatest desire. Jesus went to the cross and died in submission to the will of the Father. And, as we read in our verses for today, the Father has given victory over the enemies of the King (i.e. King Jesus) through the resurrection. It is interesting to note that Psalm 63 begins by speaking of a desert without water and Jesus will later declare, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'” (John 7:37-38).

We can have confidence in God who has promised to be with and deliver His people. We see how he has delivered Christ from His enemies. We can be sure that we too will be saved. Let us trust in Him and let us praise Him for His great love!

You Have Been My Help

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 63:5–8 (ESV)

⁵ My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, ⁶ when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; ⁷ for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. ⁸ My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Understanding and Applying the Word

Life can be a roller coaster. In the heat of the moment we can feel fear and loneliness when things get tough. We may even feel as if God has abandoned us. However, how often have you looked back on difficult events after the passing of time and realized that God had not abandoned you after all? In fact, He was using those difficult times to do some work in your life?

In this psalm, David is in the heat of battle, yet he is comforted as he thinks about God’s faithfulness to him in the past. David declares that “you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.” David sees that God has been with him in the past and trusts that He will continue to be with him in his present trouble.

Are you feeling troubled? Are you afraid of what may lie ahead? Look to the past and see how God has been with you all the way. Look at the demonstration of His love displayed on Calvary as the Son gave His life for you. The Lord has not abandoned you. Cling to Him now and sing for joy.

Trust in Him at All Times

Posted on May 12, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 62:5–8 (ESV)

⁵ For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. ⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. ⁷ On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. ⁸ Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Understanding and Applying the Word

In times of trouble, it is God alone that we wait for. Notice how David describes God as he expresses his confidence. He calls God “my rock”, “my salvation”, “my fortress”, “my glory”, “my mighty rock”, and “my refuge”.

David understands who God is and that is the true source of his confidence in the midst of difficulty. As David declares his trust in God, he invites us to do the same. These words remind us of the words of our Savior in Matthew 28:18-20:

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV)

Let us live in confidence knowing that our Lord and Savior is always with us.

For God Alone My Soul Waits

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 62:1–4 (ESV)

¹ For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. ² He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. ³ How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? ⁴ They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah

Understanding and Applying the Word

When faced with trouble we can face it in different ways. One way is to be fearful and try to run away from the danger. Another way is to face the circumstance with confidence. This is what David does in Psalm 62. He declares that he will wait in silence and will not be shaken.

Why is David so confident in his time of trouble? His trust is in God and God alone. He trusts that God will save him from his enemies. David does not gain confidence by denying his problem or by trying to put a positive spin on the situation. No. He trusts in God, the One who is a fortress to his people. May we learn to trust in the only One who can truly save us and may we face our troubles with confidence in the God of our salvation.

From the Ends of the Earth

Posted on May 10, 2018 by Tim Farley

Reading the Word

Psalm 61:1–8 (ESV)

¹ Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; ² from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, ³ for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. ⁴ Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah⁵ For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name. ⁶ Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations! ⁷ May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him! ⁸ So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.

Understanding and Applying the Word

These are the words of King David as he calls out to God. We are not given the specific details of the historical background, but we know that David calls from the “ends of the earth”. He feels far away from God. Perhaps David is involved in a battle far away from the tabernacle of God’s presence. Still, David calls for God to hear him and protect him as he trusts that even at the ends of the earth God will do so.

It is a wonderful privilege to be able to call on the name of the Lord. No matter the circumstances and no matter the location, we can be sure that God hears and answers his children. You may feel that you have gone to the ends of the earth and that you are far away from God, but this is not true! You are never too far away to call out to God. He hears and he listens and he is always near. Turn to him today!

My God in His Steadfast Love

Posted on May 6, 2018 by Tim Farley

Psalm 5910 [widescreen]

Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible reading devotional. I do not publish devotional content on Sundays, but I do include a suggested Scripture reading for the day. Please subscribe to this page and follow along as we read through the Book of Psalms in 2018.

Reading the Word

Psalm 59:8–13 (ESV)

⁸ But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. ⁹ O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. ¹⁰ My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. ¹¹ Kill them not, lest my people forget; make them totter by your power and bring them down, O Lord, our shield! ¹² For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter, ¹³ consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, that they may know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah

Shaped by the Word

A Bible Reading Devotional

Tag Archives: faith

In the Time of Old Age

You Are My Rock and My Fortress

I Will Praise the Name of God

Let the Righteous Rejoice in the Lord

All Who Swear by Him Shall Exult

You Have Been My Help

Trust in Him at All Times

For God Alone My Soul Waits

From the Ends of the Earth

My God in His Steadfast Love

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: