Tag Archives: refuge and strength

2023/2025 for Day 1, January 1

Hey, January is going to be easy to label the day of the year for the first 100 days.

Here is the whole Collection

One of the things that I am trying to do to keep me accountable and to have others join me is a live video each day at The WildBerry Patch facebook page. We are doing 5 psalms and 1 proverb each day for a month. Trying to build a habit. I’m also trying to write something for each of the firsts 100 days.

Here’s Day 2

For Copyright reasons, I use – Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved. for copyright reasons – they have the best copyright agreements with independent authors.  If I were with one of the big publishing houses, those copyrights are all approved.  There’s the legalize.

Today was Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, 121 and Prov 1.

As I read Psalm 1, I am reminded of a song we used to sing many years ago.  We sang the KJV version.

Psalm 1

  • 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scronful.
  • 2. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night.
  • 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

This explains to me a very simple way of making God happy, and dwelling in His blessing. The rest of the Psalm talks about the consequences of NOT following the previous practices. Psalm 1 ends with a summary.

6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 31 As I read Psalm 31, There is a cry for refuge. Based on Psalm 1, and the relationship with the Lord, we can reach out to Him in times of trouble.

Psalm 31:1-5

1 Lord, I seek refuge in You; let me never be disgraced. Save me by Your righteousness.

2 Listen closely to me; rescue me quickly. Be a rock of refuge for me, a mountain fortress to save me.

3 For You are my rock and my fortress; You lead and guide me because of Your name.

4 You will free me from the net that is secretly set for me, for You are my refuge.

5 Into Your hand I entrust my spirit; You redeem[a] me, Lord, God of truth.

  • Refuge
  • Save
  • Rescue
  •  

and the verse 5 – Into your hand I entrust my spirit – this is what Jesus said as He bowed His head and died. If Jesus felt this was a Psalm worth holding onto, I think we can, too.

This Psalm is for anyone with Loss. Verse 7 is a confession of faith

I will rejoice and be glad in Your faithful love because You have seen my affliction. You have known the troubles of my life

Verse 9 is a plea – a prayer

Be gracious to me, Lord, because I am in distress; my eyes are worn out from angry sorrow— my whole being[c] as well.

If you are dealing with any loss – person, place or thing – read this Psalm and make it yours. Within it are all the points of prayer – including confession of sin in verse 10. Feeling like you are attacked from every side? Verses 11-13 Psalm 31 verses 14-24 completes the worship with declaring victory. The end is verses 23-24

23 Love the Lord, all His faithful ones. The Lord protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant.

24 Be strong[i] and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.

Psalm 61 is much shorter. This seems to go with Psalm 31, but a more focused prayer for help, and declaration of victory when your heart is troubled. An easy one to memorize for times of trouble. Verses 1-4 are even a song in King James’ version.

1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

Song – Psalm 61:1-4 hear my Cry Oh Lord by Esther Mui by Verse 8 states our responsibility –

8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.

Psalm 91 – the Psalm for Protection and Shelter. This one is even more detailed of a prayer and confession of faith than Psalm 61. It also is a great Psalm if you are going through the season of life that Psalm 31 discusses. The well known first two verses say so much:

1 The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say[a] to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

This is another great passage to memorize for times of distress, discomfort, or loss. The whole psalm is great for comfort – culminating in this summary of God’s statement:

14 Because he is lovingly devoted to Me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows My name.

15 When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor.

16 I will satisfy him with a long life and show him My salvation.

This summary hearkens back to Psalm 1.   

Psalm 121 goes hand in hand with all of the psalms we have looked at today.

1 I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.

4 Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.

This whole psalm is a profession, or confession or declaration of God’s commitment to us to protect us as His children.

Now we take a quick look at Proverb 1. Proverb 1 starts with the reason for writing Proverbs. This helps with how to read it.

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

2 For learning what wisdom and discipline are; for understanding insightful sayings;

3 for receiving wise instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity;

4 for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced,[a] knowledge and discretion to a young man—

5 a wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance—

6 for understanding a proverb or a parable,[b] the words of the wise, and their riddles.

Proverb 1:7 is a clear statement to us:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverb 1:8-19 gives us instruction on choosing wise counsel. Proverb 1:20-33 tells us that Wisdom is calling to us, and has a promise for us. Watch in Proverbs how Wisdom sounds very much like the working of the Holy Spirit. The promise of proverb 1, via Wisdom is verse 33

But whoever listens to me will live securely and be free from the fear of danger.”

Worship Options

    • Psalm 1 –

Everything He does Shall Prosper by Psalms Project

The Two Ways – Jason Silver

Word for Word Scripture Song

Psalm 61 by Matthew Ward

    • Psalm 121 –

He will Keep You – by Sovereign Grace Music

I lift my Eyes Written by Kristyn Getty, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker, and Matt Papa

Leave space

Hi! My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.

Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

M. Christine Wildman“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

painted mouth

2023 The First 100 Days – day 18 – Wisdom and Praise

2023 The First 100 days – Wisdom and Praise – January 18

painted mouth

Image by Guilherme Gomes from Pixabay

 

Wisdom and Praise
Psalms 18 48, 78, 108, 138 and Proverb 18

Today’s readings deal with praise, deliverance and God’s character and Proverbs deals with mouths.

So, let’s dive in!

For the choir director. Of the servant of the Lord, David, who spoke the words of this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

    • Psalm 18:1-3
      • I love You, Lord, my strength.
        2 The Lord is my rock,
        my fortress, and my deliverer,
        my God, my mountain where I seek refuge,
        my shield and the horn of my salvation,
        my stronghold.
        3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
        and I was saved from my enemies.
    • Ps 18:3-5 Distress
    • Ps 18:6
      • 6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
    • Ps 18:7-15 God Moved on David’s Behalf
    • Ps 18:16 & 17 Salvation
      • 16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 
    • Ps 18:23 A confession based on a relationship working towards righteousness
      •  I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
    • Ps 18:25-26 God’s Character  GoTo Verses
      • 25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
    • Ps 18:30 God’s way – Go To Verse
      •  As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
    • Ps 18:33 confidence, Go To Verse
      • 33 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
    • Ps 18:35- 36 Great Promise – Go To Verse
      • 35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.  36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
    • Ps 18:46 – 50 Final Praises – 46 Go To Verse
      • 46 The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.

  • young woman with blonde hair sitting at a tree playing guitar

    Image by Sam Williams from Pixabay

    Psalm 48 Praise for deliverance for the King

    • Ps 48:1-2 KJV a Song
      • Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.  2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
    • Ps 48:3-7 God’s deliverance
    • Ps 48:8 God’s city
      • Just as we heard, so we have seen
        in the city of Yahweh of Hosts,
        in the city of our God;
        God will establish it forever.Selah
    • Ps 48:9-11 Meditation of God
      • God, within Your temple,
        we contemplate Your faithful love.
        10 Your name, God, like Your praise,
        reaches to the ends of the earth;
        Your right hand is filled with justice.
        11 Mount Zion is glad.
        The towns[a] of Judah rejoice
        because of Your judgments.
    • Ps 48:14 Conclusion
      • “This God, our God forever and ever—
        He will always lead us.”[b]
  • Psalm 78 – Remembrances
    • Ps 78:1-3 Listen to the past!
      • My people, hear my instruction;
        listen to what I say.
        2 I will declare wise sayings;
        I will speak mysteries from the past—
        3 things we have heard and known
        and that our fathers have passed down to us.
    • Ps 78:4 Teach the Children
      • We must not hide them from their children,
        but must tell a future generation
        the praises of the Lord,
        His might, and the wonderful works
        He has performed.
    • Ps 78:5-71 Recounting the History of the Birth of Israel
    • Ps 78:72
      • He shepherded them with a pure heart
        and guided them with his skillful hands.
  • Psalm 108 – from David’s prayer journal
    • Ps 108:1-5 Praise
      • My heart is confident, God;[a]
        I will sing; I will sing praises
        with the whole of my being.[b]
        2 Wake up, harp and lyre!
        I will wake up the dawn.
        3 I will praise You, Lord, among the peoples;
        I will sing praises to You among the nations.
        4 For Your faithful love is higher than the heavens,
        and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
    • Ps 108:7-9 David describes a victorious God
      • God has spoken in His sanctuary:[c]
        “I will triumph!
        I will divide up Shechem.
        I will apportion the Valley of Succoth.
    • Ps 108:10-12 Questions
      • Who will bring me to the fortified city?
        Who will lead me to Edom?
    • Ps 108:12-13 conclusion
      • Give us aid against the foe,
        for human help is worthless.
        13 With God we will perform valiantly;
        He will trample our foes.
  • Psalm 138 – Praise from the heart
    • Ps 138:1-3
      • I will give You thanks with all my heart;
        I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings.[a]
        2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple
        and give thanks to Your name
        for Your constant love and truth.
        You have exalted Your name
        and Your promise above everything else.
        3 On the day I called, You answered me;
        You increased strength within me.[b]
    • Ps 138: 7-8 God’s protection and purpose (Psalm 23)
      • If I walk into the thick of danger,
        You will preserve my life
        from the anger of my enemies.
        You will extend Your hand;
        Your right hand will save me.
        8 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.
        Lord, Your love is eternal;
        do not abandon the work of Your hands.

  • the lower half a a woman, with her hand up to her chin in a pensive look

    Image by Gabriel Doti from Pixabay

    Proverb 18 The danger of the mouth

    • Pr 18:4 protect it
      • The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters,
        a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.[b]
    • Pr 18:6 outcome
      • A fool’s lips lead to strife,
        and his mouth provokes a beating.
    • Pr 18: 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 – all deal with the mouth
    • Pr 18:21 Warning, Go To Verse
      • Life and death are in the power of the tongue,
        and those who love it will eat its fruit.
    • Pr 18:10 KJV Go To Verse for Refuge
      • 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
    • Pr 18:22 Marriage blessing
      • A man who finds a wife finds a good thing
        and obtains favor from the Lord.
      • Prepare for Marriage blog
    • Mental Health verses
      • 18:1 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
        he rebels against all sound judgment.
      • 18:14 A man’s spirit can endure sickness,
        but who can survive a broken spirit?

This blog is truncated because of a day of appointments and procedures.  Maybe next month I can add cross references and songs.

~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.

2023 First 100 Days – day 11 Wisdom and Praise Readings

First 100 days reading Wisdom and Praise day 11, January 11

Chris’s video thoughts on Day 11 readings

old music book open

Image by Peter H from Pixabay

Psalms 11, 41, 71, 101, 131 and Proverb 11

Today’s readings  have some Bible Psychology to share.

Today we read about God being our refuge and strength(11 & 71), a prayer for the sick(41) and we can learn about the attitude when we go through trials of all sorts. Psalm 101 gives us an idea that setting boundaries was a thing even in David’s day. Psalm 131 talks about being still.

Proverbs gives us many nugget gifts on the way we can live for better living.

  • Psalm 11 – God is our Refuge and Strength
    • Ps 11:1 I have taken refuge in the Lord.
      How can you say to me,
      “Escape to the mountain like a bird![a]

      • Ps 56:3 Go To When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
      • Ps 64:10 ties in with righteous – The righteous one rejoices in the LORD and takes refuge in Him; all those who are upright in heart will offer praise.
      • Ps 141:8 (KJV) But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.
    • God is our refuge by Maranatha Christian Church – another Psalm but beautiful.
    • Ps 11:3 The foundations
      • Ps 127:1 A Solomonic song of ascents. Unless the LORD builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the LORD watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.
      • Matthew 7:24-27 Build your house on the Rock
    • Ps 11:4-7 OUR GOD!
      • Ps 11:7 Go To Verse
        • For the Lord is righteous; He loves righteous deeds.
          The upright will see His face.
    • Songs I found
  • Psalm 41 – David’s Prayer Journal, Prayer for the sick
    • Ps41:1-2 (HCBS) Happy is one who cares for the poor;
      the Lord will save him in a day of adversity.
      2 The Lord will keep him and preserve him;
      he will be blessed in the land.
    • Ps 41:1-2 (NIV)Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
          the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
      2 The Lord protects and preserves them—
          they are counted among the blessed in the land—
          he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
    • Ps 41:3-4 Sickbed=Sin?
      • 3 The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed; You will heal him on the bed where he lies. 4 I said, “Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
      • James 5:14-15  14 Is any sick among you? let  him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; AND if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
      • sickness = punishments = sin is not always the case, but one should check their hearts when sickness comes, or any trial to see if this is discipline, teaching or an attack of our enemy, and progress accordingly.
    • Ps 41:9 Deep Betrayal
      • Even my friend[a] in whom I trusted,
        one who ate my bread,
        has raised his heel against me.
    • Ps 41:10 goes with James 5:15 shared above
      • But You, Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up;
    • Ps 41:11-13 Declaration of Faith in God
      • By this I know that You delight in me:
        my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.
        12 You supported me because of my integrity
        and set me in Your presence forever.
      • May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised
        from everlasting to everlasting.
        Amen and amen.
    • Psalm 41 by Jason Silver
    • Psalm 41 by ABe and Liza Philip
  • Psalm 71 Stronghold and Refuge
    • Ps 71:1 Lord, I seek refuge in You;
      let me never be disgraced.

    • Ps 71:3 Be a rock of refuge for me,
      where I can always go.
      Give the command to save me,
      for You are my rock and fortress.

    • Ps 71:5 -6 confidence from my youth,  71:17 youthful praise
    • Ps 71:8 Attitude in time of struggle
    • Ps 71:9 & 18 God esteems the old and gray
      • Don’t discard me in my old age;
        as my strength fails, do not abandon me.
    • Ps 71:17 youthful praise, with Ps 71:5-6
    • Ps 71:20 & 21 (NIV)
      • Though you have made me see troubles,
            many and bitter,
            you will restore my life again;
        from the depths of the earth
            you will again bring me up.
      • You will increase my honor
            and comfort me once more.
    • Ps 71:22-24 Praising God – Attitude of Praise
      • Therefore, I will praise You with a harp
        for Your faithfulness, my God;
        I will sing to You with a lyre,
        Holy One of Israel.
        23 My lips will shout for joy
        when I sing praise to You
        because You have redeemed me.
        24 Therefore, my tongue will proclaim
        Your righteousness all day long,
        for those who seek my harm
        will be disgraced and confounded.
      • Ps 71:6, 8, 14
    • songs

  • Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay

    Psalm 101 A poem from David’s Prayer Journal

    • Ps 101:1-6 Confession of faith.
      • Ps 101:1 I will sing of faithful love and justice;
        I will sing praise to You, Lord.
      • Ps 59:16 (NIV)But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
      • Psalm 89:1 ESV I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
    • Ps 101:7-8 Setting Boundaries
      • Ps 101:7 No one who acts deceitfully
        will live in my palace;
        no one who tells lies
        will remain in my presence.[b]
      • Ps 120:2 Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.
      • Pr 12:22 (NKJV)Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.
      • John 8:44 You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of liars.
  • Ps 131 short and sweet – self comforting
    • Ps 131:2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself
      like a little weaned child with its mother;
      I am like a little child.
    • Ps 62:1 (NLT) I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him.
    • Ps 37:7 Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.
    • Ps 46:10 (KJV) Go To Verse Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
    • Ps 33:20,  Ps 40:1, W&P day 10
    • Ps 27:13-14 Go To Verse I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness
      in the land of the living.
      14 Wait for the Lord;
      be strong[b] and courageous.
      Wait for the Lord.
  • Proverb 11 More of Solomon’s TidBits, many about righteousness.
    • In Homan Christian Study Bible version, 15 verses about righteousness
      • Pr 11:3,4,5,6,8,9,10.11.18, 19, 20, 21, 23
      • Ps 11:7 For the LORD is righteous; He loves righteous deeds. The upright will see His face.
      • Pr 11:2 GoTo Verse – When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
      • Other go to verses – Pr 11:13, 15, 18,
        • Pr 11:22 (KJV) Go To verse As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
        • Cross Reference AND Go To Verse Ps 31:30(NIV)  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
      • Pr 11:24-25 A Generous Heart
      • Pr 11:27 The one who searches for what is good finds favor,
        • Is 55:6 GoTo Verse Seek the LORD while He may be found; call to Him while He is near.
        • Matt 6:33 Go To Verse But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
      • Seek ye first the Kingdom of God by Maranatha Singers

~~~~~~~

Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

M. Christine Wildman“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.