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Psalm 74

Psalm 74 – Who Can Be Against Us?

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 13, 2026

In the 1950s, Sunday afternoons had a rhythm of their own. After church and a big family dinner, we would walk down to the Beacon Theatre on Thirtieth and Ames to catch the matinee. On the way home, we would debate which was the worst fate: being crushed by Frankenstein, captured by the Creature from the Black Lagoon, bitten by Dracula, or eaten by the Wolf Man. For me, the worst of them all was always the Creature from the Black Lagoon. That thing haunted my imagination. At night I was sure I could see its slimy head slowly rising outside my bedroom window. Terrified, I would pull the covers over my head and pray, reminding myself over and over that nothing and no one was more powerful than God. That truth became my shield in the night.

Israel once faced a real-life nightmare—far worse than anything Hollywood could invent. Their enemy came not from a lagoon but from Babylon. Their nation was crushed, their temple destroyed, and their people dragged away into exile. They had forgotten God, but in their pain they remembered where to turn. Psalm 74 is their prayer in a moment of fear and defeat. Like a frightened child hiding under a blanket, they cried out and reminded themselves who God is and what He has done. “It was you who split open the sea by your power; you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan… It was you who opened up springs and streams… The day is yours, and yours also the night… It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth.” When they were overwhelmed by terror, they clung to the truth that their God was still greater than their worst enemy.

I am no longer afraid of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, but I still face my own frightening possibilities—cancer, heart attacks, sudden loss, financial collapse, broken relationships, and emotional pain. These fears can creep into our thoughts just like that monster once crept into my childhood dreams. But just as Israel reminded themselves of God’s power in their darkest hour, we must do the same. He still breaks the heads of monsters—whether they come in the form of enemies, fears, or crises. He remains stronger than anything we will ever face. Psalm 74 teaches us to look back at God’s greatness when today feels too heavy. So when fear tries to rise up, let faith speak louder: “Since God is for us, who can be against us?”

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Psalm 73

Psalm 73 – A Song Of Asaph

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 12, 2026

Asaph, the writer of Psalm 73, speaks honestly about a struggle many believers face. He looks around and sees people who ignore God seeming to prosper. They are healthy, successful, and carefree. Meanwhile, he himself faces hardship, disappointment, and pain. His faith wavers as he wonders why life seems unfair. But in the end, three truths stabilize his heart and restore his hope: God is with him, God guides him, and God will one day receive him into glory. He summarizes this beautifully in verses 23–24: “Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.” Life may be confusing, but God is constant. When circumstances shake his faith, Asaph finds peace in the presence, guidance, and promise of God.

These are powerful truths for anyone facing the hardships of earthly life. God does not leave us to struggle alone. He does not observe our pain from a distance—He walks beside us. “You hold my right hand,” Asaph says. The image is intimate and tender. A loving father taking the hand of a frightened child. A strong companion helping someone who is weary and weak. God does not always remove the trials we face, but He walks with us through them. The Bible also serves as our guidebook in this journey. We find wisdom in its pages, comfort in its promises, and direction for every step. Life truly is a journey “through the valley of the shadow of death,” and God’s Word is a light for the path. When we follow His counsel, we find peace in the chaos and assurance in the confusion.

Most importantly, Asaph is comforted by the promise of eternal life with God. This world is not the end. Heaven is not a myth, not a dream, not a fairy tale—it is a prepared place for a prepared people. Jesus promised, “I go to prepare a place for you, and when it is time, I will return for you and take you to be with me.” I picture that moment: Jesus meeting me at the moment of my death, taking me by my right hand, just as Asaph describes, and leading me home. No more fear. No more tears. Just the joy of being welcomed by my heavenly Father. John Bradford, shortly before his death, wrote to a friend: “I am assured that though I want here, I have riches there; though I hunger here, I shall have fullness there; though I faint here, I shall be refreshed there; and though I be accounted here as a dead man, I shall there live in perpetual glory.” That is the hope of every believer—the hope that keeps us steady when life feels unfair. God is with us now. His Word will guide us. And glory is our destination.

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Psalm 72

Psalm 72 – David’s Final Prayer

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 11, 2026

Psalm 72 is a beautiful and powerful prayer for a king. Many believe it was David’s final prayer for his son Solomon as he prepared to pass the throne to him. The closing verse supports this idea: “This ends the Psalms of David.” In this prayer, David asks God to bless the new king with wisdom, prosperity, honor, and lasting glory. But this is more than a political blessing—it is a spiritual one. David does not merely pray for national success or military strength. He prays for a king whose heart reflects the heart of God.

The Psalm includes prayers not only for the king but also for the people he will rule. David asks that the land flourish and the people prosper under the new king’s leadership. He even prays that surrounding nations would honor this king and bless him. But the central petition of the Psalm stands out clearly in verse 4: “May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!” Godly leadership is marked not by power but by compassion—by how the most vulnerable are treated. A king who reflects God’s character will care about the weak, protect the helpless, and confront injustice.

For this reason, many see Psalm 72 as a Messianic Psalm—a prophetic picture of the future reign of Jesus Christ. The language of worldwide peace, endless dominion, and eternal blessing goes far beyond Solomon’s reign. It points to the righteous kingdom of Christ. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is moved again and again by compassion. He heals the sick, touches the outcast, forgives the sinner, and feeds the hungry. He notices the individual no one else sees. He listens to the cry no one else hears. Compassion is not just something Jesus shows—it is who He is. Religion without compassion is empty. Francis Schaeffer put it well: “There is nothing more ugly than an orthodoxy without understanding or without compassion.”

A simple story illustrates this truth. Once upon a time, a man fell into a deep ditch.

The realist said, “That is a ditch.”
The optimist said, “Things will get better.”
The pessimist said, “Things will get worse.”
The Christian Scientist said, “You only think you are in a ditch.”
A newspaper reporter said, “I will pay you for an exclusive story about life in the ditch.”
The city official said, “Did you get a permit for your ditch life?”
The mathematician said, “I will calculate the dimensions of the ditch.”
The preacher said, “I see three lessons about the ditch.”
The tax agent said, “Have you paid taxes on that ditch?”
Jesus said, “Give me your hand.”

That is the King Psalm 72 anticipates—a king who does not ignore suffering but reaches down to lift people out of it. A king of compassion. A king like Jesus.

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Psalm 71

Psalm 71 – Growing Old

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 10, 2026

There is a subscript in the Hebrew Psalter that does not appear in most English translations. According to James Montgomery Boice, it reads, “This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.” This note seems fitting for Psalm 71, and there are several reasons to believe it marks the closing chapter of David’s recorded prayers. First, the next Psalm—Psalm 72—is attributed to David’s son Solomon. It is a prayer for God to guide him as he leads the nation, suggesting a transition from the reign of David to the reign of his son. Second, Psalm 71 reads like the testimony of an old man reflecting on a long life of both trouble and trust. In verse 9 David pleads, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.” Later he adds, “Even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me.” These are the words of someone who has walked with God for decades and now leans on Him more than ever. If this is indeed David’s final recorded prayer, it is a beautiful ending—full of honesty, faith, and hope.

One of the central themes of this Psalm is the struggle of aging. David speaks of declining strength, fading memory, and growing limitations. He no longer hears as well, moves as swiftly, or thinks as sharply as he once did. He feels his frailty. Growing old, he admits, is not easy. He is not alone in that confession.  That’s the way I feel now as I approach my 80th birthday.  There are others. On June 28, 1789, the great evangelist John Wesley wrote in his journal, “This day I enter on my eighty-sixth year. I now find I grow old.” He went on to list his struggles: weak eyesight, decreasing strength, and a fading memory. Wesley confessed that his greatest fear was not physical decay, but that the frustrations of aging would harden his spirit or sour his attitude. But even then he anchored his hope in God, writing, “But thou shalt answer for me, O Lord my God.” Like David, Wesley learned that advancing age is not a barrier to faith—but rather an invitation to deeper dependence on God.

John’s brother Charles Wesley may have captured the spirit of Psalm 71 in one of his hymns. Perhaps it reflected John’s later years as well, when his body weakened but his hope remained strong in Christ. Charles wrote:

In age and feebleness extreme,
Who shall a sinful worm redeem?
Jesus, my only hope thou art,
Strength of my failing flesh and heart;
Oh, could I catch a smile from thee,
And drop into eternity!

David may have felt exactly the same. Old age may limit the body, but it can strengthen the soul. The world may cast aside the elderly, but God never does. From youth to gray hairs, He remains faithful. Psalm 71 reminds us that no matter how old we grow, we are never too old to trust Him, praise Him, or be used by Him.

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Psalm 70

Psalm 70 – David’s Prayer

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 9, 2026

The first thing that stands out in Psalm 70 is the desperation in David’s voice. We do not know exactly which event in his life inspired this prayer, but it could have been any number of crises. Though David was the beloved king of Israel for forty years—chosen by God, anointed by God, blessed by God, and even called “a man after His own heart”—his life was marked by constant trouble. He lived under threat from Saul, from foreign enemies, from rebellious sons, and from betrayal by trusted friends. Danger was never far from him. As James Montgomery Boice asks, “Should we be astonished that troubles and dangers, enemies, and even muddy pits are our frequent lots in life?” If a man like David faced such relentless struggle, why should we expect an easier path?

We should not be surprised when life feels overwhelming, even when we are walking with God. In this short Psalm, David cries out in desperation again and again: “Hurry, Oh God, to save me! Oh Lord, come quickly to help me!” He repeats this urgent plea four times in just five verses. Can you relate to that kind of prayer? Most of us can. Desperation creeps in through many doors—trouble at home, crises at work, financial strain, failing health, emotional exhaustion, or fear for someone we love. Some days we know exactly how David felt. “Lord, if I do not get some relief soon, I am going to lose it!” When life presses hard and our hearts feel weak, we begin to understand the power of urgent prayer.

Psalm 70 is a prayer from start to finish, and David shows us three ways to pray in crisis. First, he prays honestly for himself. He does not hide his emotion—he pours it out before God. He does not pretend to be strong; he admits his need. Second, he prays about his enemies. He asks God to intervene, to push back evil, to stop those who work against righteousness. He refuses to take revenge into his own hands—he leaves it to God. Finally, he prays for others. He remembers that he is not alone in suffering. He asks God to encourage and protect all who seek Him. David knew that when one believer hurts, many do. Prayer not only lifts our own burdens; it connects us with others who need hope.

Paul gives the same remedy for desperation in his letter to the Philippians—written from a prison cell. “Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” When life begins to crush us, prayer lifts us. When panic rises, peace returns. When we feel like we might lose it, God holds us together.

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Psalm 69

Psalm 69 – Consumed by Zeal

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 8, 2026

Psalm 69 is one of the clearest Messianic Psalms in all of Scripture. Its words rise from the depths of sorrow, yet they also reach forward through time and find perfect fulfillment in the suffering of Jesus Christ. The Psalmist declares in verse 9, “and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.” These words foreshadow the heart of Christ, who willingly endured the insults, hatred, and hostility directed at God by taking them upon Himself. His one consuming passion was to accomplish the purpose for which He was sent—to die on the cross and pay the penalty for our sins. He lived with unwavering determination, knowing the cross was His destiny. He set His face like flint toward Jerusalem. No threat, no temptation, no plea from even His closest friends could deter Him. His life was not governed by comfort or self-preservation but by fervent devotion to the will of God. Psalm 69 captures this with the words, “For zeal for your house has consumed me.”

Zeal—holy passion—has always been a powerful force. In warfare, soldiers sometimes suffer from battle fatigue, a weariness so deep that motivation collapses. It spreads like a quiet infection, draining entire units of strength and resolve. One soldier in the Second World War described this despair by saying it “never leads a life in any direction but to the rear.” Yet history also shows that weary soldiers can be revived by witnessing acts of courage. When they see a comrade press forward through pain, it ignites something within them. Zeal—fervent, determined conviction—has the power to awaken life in others. It inspires. It lifts. It leads forward when everything else says retreat.

Scripture gives us many such examples. In 2 Kings 10, Jehu said, “Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord,” and his passion sparked a national turning back to God. Elijah stood alone against the false prophets on Mount Carmel and declared, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty.” His courage set fire to an entire nation’s conscience. Solomon warns in Proverbs 23 that we should not envy sinners but “always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” Paul echoes this call in Romans 12: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” In every generation, God uses the fire of one person’s devotion to awaken others. Last year, God used Charlie Kirk, and his assassination, to ignite a fire in the hearts of many. Their call was “We are Charlie Kirk.”

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Psalm 68

Psalm 68 – Rise up Oh Lord!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 7, 2026

Numbers 10:35 explains that as the children of Israel journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land, they did not travel alone. They followed the manifest presence of God, seen as a cloud by day and fire by night, resting above the Ark of the Covenant. Whenever the Ark set out, Moses would cry out, “Rise up, O Lord! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.” Psalm 68 opens with that same triumphant declaration. This Psalm is traditionally linked to the moment when the Ark was brought back to Jerusalem after being captured by Israel’s enemies. David rejoices as he sings, “God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before him!” The Psalm not only recalls the return of the Ark but also the dynamic presence of God that once led Israel—a presence of smoke and fire. Verse two continues, “As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!” The God who leads His people is not passive—He moves, He conquers, He melts every opposition that stands against His will.

The imagery of “melting” appears often throughout Scripture and always in connection with the overwhelming power of God. Psalm 147:18 tells us that God “sends out his word and melts” the ice. Ezekiel 24:11 speaks of filth being melted away from within. Psalm 97:5 declares, “The mountains melt like wax before the Lord.” Nahum 1:5 adds that “the hills melt” in His presence. Amos 9:5 says, “The Lord touches the land and it melts,” while Psalm 46:6 declares, “The earth melts when He lifts His voice.” Even the most precious and enduring things like gold and silver will melt in the furnace of God’s judgment according to Ezekiel 22. Nothing hard, cold, proud, or resistant can stand against the blazing presence of Almighty God. When He arises, everything opposed to Him begins to crumble.

This truth is not just ancient history—it speaks into the heart of our struggles today. We all face mountains of fear, hills of discouragement, and obstacles that seem impossible to move. We wrestle with hard hearts, stubborn sins, broken relationships, and a world that often feels harsh and unforgiving. Yet the same God who led Israel still lives and reigns today. Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said, “I doubt if there is a problem—political or economic—that will not melt before the fire of a spiritual awakening.” When God rises in power within a life, a church, or even a nation, nothing can stand against Him. When He takes His rightful place in our hearts—as He did in Jerusalem—His enemies scatter. Fear flees. Sin loses its grip. Hope rises. Faith ignites. So let this become our prayer today: “Rise up, O Lord!”

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Psalm 67

Psalm 67 – May His Face Shine

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 6, 2026

Psalm 67 is often referred to as a “Missionary Psalm” because it carries a global heartbeat. It refuses to settle for a faith that is private or self-centered. Instead, it cries out for the salvation of the entire world. It begins with a prayer for God’s blessing on “us,” the people of God, but not for selfish gain. The blessing sought here has a purpose beyond personal comfort or prosperity. The Psalmist writes, “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah…” Then he tells us why we should desire such blessing: “that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.” God blesses His people so that others may see His goodness and be drawn to Him. This echoes the priestly blessing that Aaron declared over Israel in Numbers chapter six as they prepared to enter the land: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” The blessing of God is never meant to end with the receiver—it is meant to flow through them to the world.

James Montgomery Boice offers a beautiful explanation of this shining blessing. He says, “A shining face is the opposite of an angry or scowling face, and a face turned toward someone is the opposite of a face turned away in indifference or disgust.” Aaron spoke this blessing over a people who were surrounded by unbelieving nations. They were called to shine with the light of God’s presence. Boice adds, “A shining face implies favor, the favor of the one whose face is shining, and it implies the friendliness of warm personal relationships too.” God’s blessing is characterized by His smile—His favor, His nearness, His grace. When His face shines upon His people, they become a living testimony of His goodness. In this way, the blessing of God on His people becomes a blessing to the nations around them. They see a people who walk in peace, hope, purpose, and joyful confidence, and they are drawn to the God behind such blessing.

The real longing of this Psalm is not for material blessings but for a deep, radiant relationship with God—one so authentic that it draws others to Him. Physical blessings fade, but a life marked by God’s presence is compelling. What attracts the world is not wealth, success, or status; it is a heart that knows and reflects God. Jeremiah spoke to this truth: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.” May the Lord make His face shine upon you—and through you—onto everyone you meet today.

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