Day 1
Psalm 23:1-6 – The Lord is My Shepherd
This psalm, like so many others, is entitled “A Psalm of David.” While there is no way of knowing when or what events spurred David to compose this psalm, it is clear that his past experience as a shepherd did a great deal to inform this work. Whatever the reason for this psalm’s creation, it has provided a great deal of hope, assurance, and comfort for many believers over the years. David begins by likening his Lord to a shepherd. Not just any shepherd though, David is clear that the Lord is “my” shepherd. David knew what it was to be a shepherd. To be a shepherd meant to have an intimate and ongoing knowledge of one’s flock. The shepherd was everything to the flock: a guide, a protector, a doctor, and more. David knew the Lord as this close partner. As the psalm goes on, it is clear that David knows the Lord as one who sustains, provides, is ever-present, and a blessing. Not only is it clear that David knows the Lord in this type of relationship in this life, but the promise of eternity with the Lord seems sure by the end of the psalm. Thus, David composes a psalm that depicts the beautiful care and concern that the Lord has for His people in this life, as well as the one to come.
Day 2
Have Mercy on Me – Psalm 51:1-19
While Psalm 23 was simply entitled “A Psalm of David,” this psalm’s title reveals a great deal about when it was written. “A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone to Bathsheba.” This title leaves no room for interpretation. David had sinned in adultery, murder, and in attempting to cover up his own sin. It took the bold confrontation of Nathan to draw King David back to his need for forgiveness (remember Samuel 11 and 12). Here, we have the plea of a broken and contrite King David, who is pleading with a holy and just God. David asks that the multitude of God’s grace and mercies cover over his transgressions. David is clear in his understanding that he in no way deserves this mercy. David acknowledges his transgressions and the way in which his sin has affected him. David, in confessing his sins, even hopes to show that God is just, holy, and his commands are good even when David fails. It’s almost as if David sees his sin as a reflection on the Lord’s character. David pleads that people wouldn’t see his failure, but instead the goodness of the Lord. David pleads for restoration: that his heart would be restored (vs. 10-11); his joy in salvation would be restored (vs. 12-13); his ability to praise would be restored (vs. 14-17); and the Lord’s favor on Israel would be restored (vs. 18-19). What is most clear throughout this psalm is David’s clear understanding of the far-reaching effects of sin. David’s prayer isn’t a simple and general “if I have sinned, forgive me.” David acknowledges how his sin has affected every part of his life, his relationship with the Lord, and even his witness. David pleads for those things to be restored not only for his own sake, but for the sake of the Lord and his reputation. This is a much different view of sin than many of us have today. May God convict us and bring us to a place of seeing sin the way that David does here. May God also allow us to understand His mercy and grace in the same way David does as well.
Day 3
Praise the Lord – Psalm 103:1-22
While Psalm 103, like Psalm 23, is simply titled “ A Psalm of David,” we can take a fairly educated guess at when it was written. By looking at the way in which David understands God’s mercy, and the way that he speaks about man’s frailty, it seems that this is a David who is very full of praise for a God who has been faithful for many years. That is the way David begins this psalm. David starts with a complete and whole-hearted call for everything that is within him to bless the Lord. Now, this isn’t the type of blessing that is given from a higher lord to a lower servant. David, from all his years following the Lord, knew God was far greater. Instead, David means “bless” in the sense of it pleases and honors God when we praise Him appropriately. David wants to do this. David wants to offer everything he is, and everything he has, as worship to the Lord. David then goes on to list all of the reasons why God deserves this whole-hearted and complete worship. David reminds the reader that this is a God who redeems (vs. 3-5). Not only does the Lord redeem, but God is righteous (vs. 6-7) and gracious (vs. 8-10). The way in which God has completely forgiven and cared for mankind (vs. 11-14), when this Creator is far greater than all of His creation (vs. 15-22) speaks to the love and greatness of the Lord. The Lord, so merciful, just, and loving, is certainly worthy of a complete and total offering of worship and praise.
Day 4
Godly Wisdom – Proverbs 1:1-4:27
The first chapter of Proverbs gives us much to consider. First, we see the proverbs are from “Solomon the son of David, king of Israel.” Now, this does not mean that every proverb came from Solomon (we have other authors listed throughout). It may well be that Solomon only authored a few, or that he was responsible for the collection and crafting of all of these proverbs into one single book. Whatever the case, the name Solomon should cause us to pause and think. Here is a king of Israel, famous for his wisdom, yet known to have acted foolishly towards the end of his life. It may be that Solomon wanted to gather this wisdom together in order to keep others from repeating his mistakes. As the proverb unfolds, Solomon informs the reader of the purpose of the proverbs – to give wisdom, instruction, and understanding. We must understand that the book of Proverbs is a collection of practical wisdom recorded in short, notable statements. These proverbs are unique from other types of wisdom literature like Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, or the Song of Solomon. They are unique in that they are a collection of single statements, not a treatise on a topic. Also, these proverbs focus on practical wisdom more than any one aspect of God and the gospel. Finally, the proverbs are unique in that they should not be treated as a promise or law. These are general principles and truths to give wisdom in daily living. As Solomon makes clear in this first proverb, any wisdom and understanding must find its root in the fear of the Lord. To despise and reject the Lord and his wisdom is to face fear, evil, and destruction.
In chapter 2, Solomon continues the instructions to his son that he began in the first chapter of Proverbs. Solomon calls his son to “receive my words,” “treasure my commands,” and “apply [his] heart to understanding.” Here, Solomon is calling his son to listen, to think about, and to apply the wisdom he has given to his son. Solomon makes clear that the effort to listen to wisdom and apply it to life will lead to an understanding and knowledge of God. Solomon then spends the rest of the chapter explaining all of the ways that wisdom is helpful in life. Wisdom can guide, protect, rescue, and inform our lives. Solomon is carefully and consistently trying to connect the need for God, and knowledge of the Lord, as the beginning of wisdom that can change a life. Solomon is not arguing for wisdom just for the sake of wisdom. Solomon feels that is impossible. There is no wisdom apart from the Lord. This is why, as Solomon moves into chapter 3, he begins to instruct his son to walk rightly with the Lord. Solomon tells his son to keep the law of God close, so that he may experience the blessing and peace that comes from it. Solomon also encourages his son to keep the faithful love of the Lord and his truth close in all things. Those things should appear as if they are “bound” or “written.” It should be as if walking with the Lord and keeping His commands is so much a part of who Solomon’s son is, that he cannot be separated from that way of life. If Solomon’s son will trust the Lord and stay humbly dependent, the Lord will direct him in every way he should go. Whether it be possessions, seasons of correction, his witness before God and man, or even his safety – all of these things are dependent on a wise walk with the Lord.
In chapter 4, Solomon extends his instruction from a singular son to all of his children. Solomon pleads with his son, and his children, to hear him and understand the good teachings that he is providing. With his constant pleas to be heard, it seems Solomon’s children may have been hesitant or even unreceptive to his instruction. Nevertheless, Solomon makes his plea and interacts his children from his own experience. Solomon begins to recount how his father, King David, had instructed him. He urges his son, and his children in general, to cling to knowledge of God and the wisdom that comes from the Lord. He urges them to avoid the way of wickedness at all cost. No doubt, these words probably came from Solomon’s own experience of rejecting the Lord and his wisdom. This is probably why Solomon is so focused on his children guarding their hearts diligently and staying on the right path. For many of us, we have experienced the same hesitancy and unreceptive response from family members or others. Like Solomon, let us continually put the truth of the Lord before those around us and trudt the Lord to work in their lives.
Day 5
The Proverbs of Solomon – Proverbs 16:1-18:24
In these 3 chapters of Proverbs, Solomon covers a multitude of topics. Beginning in chapter 16, Solomon discusses how man usually tries to make his own plans and how those plans, which exclude the Lord, are never as good. Solomon discusses the threat of pride, the joy of maturing, and the need for self-control. Solomon warns that difficult times will come but that the Lord will not waste those times. The Lord will use those trials to grow and refine you. Solomon even talks about friendship, laughter, how there are two sides to every story, and that it is a good thing to marry. While it may seem hard to find a common theme that connects all of these seemingly different topics, it is there. The Lord, and his plan for all of these areas of life, is what Solomon finds most important. The Lord’s instruction and wisdom through the proverbs of Solomon are something that we need to be reminded of constantly. The same is true for the Psalms and the way in which David, and others, explore what a relationship with the Lord looks like. It may do us some good to take the entirety of the Psalms and Proverbs and incorporate them into our daily study. There was an article years ago in Decision Magazine, where Ruth Bell Graham commented that she had developed the “habit” of “keeping [her] Bible open somewhere in the house.” She did this so at any point in the day, she could look to the Lord and His word for instruction and wisdom. She even kept a notepad nearby so that she could take notes on what the Lord was showing her. Maybe we should cultivate a similar habit. In our homes or workplaces, maybe we need to have our Bibles open to the Psalms or Proverbs, ever-ready to hear from our Lord.
