Summer Reading, part twelve

Here we are in mid-July and we’re moving right along in our summer reading plan, aren’t we? We’re covering six psalms today: Psalm 63 through 68.

Have you ever read a love letter written by someone else, and yet you felt their passion as if it were written by you? Psalm 63 is a passionate love letter to God that each of us can use to tell him “my whole being longs for you.” If you can tell God that his love is better than life itself, then read this letter aloud to God during your prayer time. If you’re not just reading aloud, but actually speaking this to him, your prayer life will be richer, fuller, and more satisfying.

David was just like us in that he wanted a peaceful life. But having his enemies plotting against him all the time, trying to kill him, and aiming “cruel words like deadly arrows” was more than David could stand. According to Psalm 64, he had a complaint. When you take your complaint to God, you have to remember that God has everything under control. David knew that God’s arrows are more powerful than those of his enemies. He was tired of having enemies, but he knew to “rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him.”  

Psalm 66 takes us back to the days of Moses in verse 6 where God’s unmistakable power was revealed. “He turned the sea into dry land, they passed through the waters on foot – come, let us rejoice in him.” Verse 9 tells us God keeps our feet from slipping. God frees us from bondage, protects us, and tests us too. But the psalm ends with praise to God who has not “withheld his love from me!”

Don’t forget to read Psalm 65. And Psalm 67, which is a short blessing. And Psalm 68, which gives examples of how God’s power can be seen. Psalm 68:35 ends with these praises, “You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!”

Next time, we’ll read Psalms 69 through 72. Enjoy!