Psalm 15
LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.

Here we see in this Psalm, David begins to write out a list of characteristics of a person who will dwell in the presence of God.

The list contains: A person who doesn’t lie, doesn’t gossip, doesn’t swear or curse, a person who hates the evil things of this world, a person who stands by their word, and a person who doesn’t take advantage of people.

Let me ask you a question:

Do you have any of these characteristics?

Which of these characteristics do you lack?

Which of these characteristics is hardest for you to control?

Sometimes when we look at our lives it seems like so many things are wrong that we don’t know where to start to fix some of the junk in our lives.

I want to encourage you today, look at this list and begin to ask God to help you with these things. Then, work on one at a time and have a goal where all of these things will be evident in you life.

I love what it says at the end, “whoever does these things will never be shaken”, what an amazing promise from our God.

Psalm 14
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the LORD. But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Have you ever sat in a class room and been told that there is no God?

Have you ever watched a TV program or movie that makes it seem like if you believe in God you are fool?

Here we see David writing about how the culture around him was turning Godless and how the people were turning into enemies of God. Does this sound familiar to you?

In our culture today, it has become very wicked. Our culture embraces sin as normal and we as the people of God have let some things that God hates, live in our lives But I love what David says at the end that God is present in the company of the righteous. Even when it seems like you are surrounded by evil, God is in your company.

I want to encourage you today, if you are in a public school or judged because of your faith, God is with you. He is standing right with you and no matter what any one says, don’t loose hope.There is a God in heaven who loves you and is there for you.

Psalm 13
How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Have you ever had to wait for an answer to a prayer?

Some times we can pray for something and wait and wait and wait for God to show us an answer. This can sometimes bring frustration and doubt in God.

This is a reoccurring theme in the book of Psalms. David is constantly praying out to God asking Him when He will answer him… When will you help me?

When will you come through for me?

When will you answer my prayer?

But I love how David says at the end, “but I trust in your unfailing love.” What an amazing example of faith. Even though David doesn’t understand what God is doing, he doesn’t give up his trust in God.

Have you ever given up hope in God?

Have you ever lost your trust in Him?

I want to encourage you today, even though the storms of life are trying to knock you down, don’t let go of your trust in the almighty God. Sometimes God is working through the most difficult circumstances. And no matter what happens, don’t give up!

Psalm 12
Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. May the LORD silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue— those who say, “By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?” “Because the poor are plundered and the needy roan, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. You, LORD, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.

Have you ever felt like the only Christian in your entire school?

Have you ever felt like everyone around you doesn’t believe that there is a God or their belief in “God” is really whack?

Sometimes we can feel like we are the odd person because of our beliefs in God. nd many times, we can feel like this relationship with God thing, isn’t worth all the grief we get from other people.

I love what the Psalmist says here, that God will arise and protect us. That when people are hurling insults or making fun, God will arise and protect us. Then he says this, the words of the Lord are flawless… meaning they are the truth. When God says something in His word, He means it.

What do you need God to protect you from?

Where in your life does God need to arise and show Himself?

There is another verse in the Bible that says, God is NOT a man that he would lie… so when He says something in the Bible, we can count on it 100%.

I want to encourage you today, God will protect you, God is there for you, and God doesn’t’ let you down. Just take a moment and pray to Him and tell Him where you need Him to arise in your life.

Psalm 11
In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain? For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When thefoundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.

Have you ever been made fun of or felt excluded because you did the right thing?

Do people treat you different because you are a Christian?

Sometimes when we try to do the right thing or live for God in our lives, and some people in our lives can make fun of us trying to do right. Many times, we can feel that doing the right thing all the time or being “holy” isn’t worth it because of all the criticism we take from people.

Look what the Psalm says at the end, the upright will see His face. That’s pretty cool, because not too many people on earth have seen the face of the almighty God. When we read the Bible, the people that saw the face of God, their lives were never the same. It changed them forever in a good way. And here we see the Psalmist write that only the upright will see His face.

I want to encourage you today, every time you decided to say no to sin or compromising your faith, God is so pleased with you. Sometimes we can think “what’s the point of living for God?” or “I’m tired to doing the good thing all the time!” But listen, when you walk upright, God will reward you and His reward is far better than anything we could ever receive on earth.

Psalm 7
LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me. LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands— if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe— then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. Arise, LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice. Let the assembled peoples gather around you, while you sit enthroned over them on high. Let the LORD judge the peoples. Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure— you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.

Have you ever been accused of something you didn’t do?

Have you ever gotten in trouble for something that you were innocent for?

Did you try to explain your side of the story and no one would listen to you?

Some times we pay a price for something we didn’t do. We can get so angry and upset for paying a punishment that wasn’t rightly ours. It blows my mind sometimes to think that Jesus paid a tremendous penalty for us and he was innocent. He loves us that much that he took our punishment.

And the most amazing thing about what Jesus did is that we, who are the guilty ones, get to have a new and incredible life through Him. He paid the price for all our sins… ALL OF THEM! Not just some but ALL of our sins. He was innocent but loved us so much that He gave His life for us. What an amazing Savior.

Have you ever just prayed and thanked God for what He did on that cross?

Have you ever just stopped for a moment in your prayers and thanked Him for paying your penalty?

I want to encourage you today, take a moment and just thank Him for what He has done for you!

Psalm 6
LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long? Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave? I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Have you ever prayed for something over and over and over again?

Have you ever prayed to God and asked Him when are you going to answer my prayers?

Sometimes we can pray for something a million times and we can feel like no one is answering us.

One thing I learned about prayer is this: Some times God says yes, some times God says no and some times God says yes but not now.

There are many times we pray to God, and as soon as we are done saying amen, we see the answer to the prayer. There are many times when we pray for things and ask for things like God is Santa Clause. We can ask with wrong motives or God knows He has something better for us so He says no. Other times God says yes but it’s not His perfect timing for that to be answered.

Where ever you are at with your prayers, understand one thing: God loves you and He has your best interest in mind… even if it’s not what we want. I want to encourage you, when you pray, pray in faith, but pray like Jesus, not my will but your will be done.