We've got to stop listening to ourselves and start speaking to ourselves. We respond to the enemy's lies by shouting back God’s truth. This is what’s taking place in Psalm 42. The author is having a tough conversation with his soul and not holding back any punches. He goes further than simply asking why his soul is downcast; he urges it to continue hoping in God and praising Him.

When it comes to matters of faith, many of us wrongly assume that the strength of one's faith is dependent on how free it is of doubt. If that were the case, then the author would be in trouble because questions upon questions fill the verses of Psalm 42.

"Why, my soul, are you downcast?" I know... it's not the type of question you were expecting to greet you on a Monday and probably caught you off guard. But, as we turn the page to a new week, and with it, a new psalm, we encounter the remarks of an anguished soul. Despair is the backdrop for Psalm 42 - anguish seeps from its pages.

Our responsiveness to His grace and guidance hinges on our ability to remember and rejoice. And, in today’s devotional we want to practice just that - and spend some time remembering and rejoicing God’s faithfulness, care, and forgiveness. This devotional will be a bit different in its format and flow, and this is an intentional switch on my part. First, you will read Psalm 32, and then I will walk you through a guided exercise on remembrance and rejoicing - and in doing so, invite you to be honest with God about our whole hearts.

Over the past few days, we’ve witnessed David speak about the devastation hidden sin causes to our soul and spirit and the joy that comes when we put words to our struggles and find they get met with forgiveness. The last four verses of Psalm 32 shift from David reflecting on his own life to David prophetically speaking in God’s voice to His people. His message is this: we can’t just embrace forgiveness and go our way; we must let forgiveness form and influence who we trust and what we allow to guide our steps.

Today, as we turn our attention to verses 5 through 7, we see the freeing power that comes when we acknowledge our struggles and confess our sins. This is the loving response that Christ offers to anyone who possesses the courage to come to him.

Today, as we delve deeper into Psalm 32, we'll spend some time looking at the toll hidden struggles take on our mind, body, and soul. This topic will indeed be weighty, so before we begin, I want to provide space for you to pray about where your heart is heavy and what role unspoken struggles play a part in it.

This week, as we turn our attention to Psalm 32, we'll witness a different type of turmoil; rather than being beyond our control, this fight resides within ourselves - the pain of hidden struggles, unconfessed sin, and covered-up shame.

Today’s devotional will be a bit different in its format and flow, and this switch is done with intentionality. Rather than internalize the words of this beloved psalm, we want to leverage them to display others-focused love and care. First we will read Psalm 27 together. Then we’ll spend our time contending for and praying over a friend or family member who finds themselves in a waiting period, facing struggles, or encountering adversity.

Yesterday, we encountered a once confident David experiencing a dark night of the soul - the Lord felt hidden and inactive, leading to David’s lament. He asks God to hear his cries and not hide His presence. The pleading from David continues but shifts to a desperate prayer for guidance -” teach me Your way, O Lord.” For God to be our teacher, we must posture ourselves as a humble student willing to listen, receive, and act upon His wisdom, correction, and guidance.

Up to this point in our journey through Psalm 27, David's confidence in the Lord has been rock-solid, expressing itself through courage, celebration, and contemplation. Today, we encounter a vastly different David - one shaken and struggling. He can't sense God's presence or hear His voice. Instead, he's crying out to God. His words feel oddly familiar because his laments have, at times, been our laments.

Yesterday we began our journey through Psalm 27 where in a season of trouble, David begins by declaring God as his light, salvation, and stronghold. We saw how knowing God changes the way we respond to our circumstances and we reflected on the current battles facing each one of us. The enemy isn’t defeated in a day, our struggles carry on. They can at times leave our hearts heavy, so before we begin, I want to provide space for you to pray and share with God what’s on your mind and heart. Use this time to make the same declarations David did and declare your trust in Him.

Anyone who has found themselves in crisis, periods of waiting, or trying circumstances understands Psalm 27 isn't two separate psalms, but an accurate representation of the human experience, the highs and the lows, of navigating troubling times. What we do in the waiting matters more than we realize - it is here where our faith gets tested, formed, and shaped. Seeking God, meditating on His Word, and learning to walk in His ways brings good to our troubling times by drawing us closer to Him.

Today’s devotional will be a bit different in its format and flow, and this switch is done with intentionality. First we will read Psalm 23 together. Then I’ll lead us through a reflective time, using the psalm as a prayer back to God. As we meditate on the psalm verse by verse, we will be reminded of His goodness while strengthening our understanding of His truth.

Today, in verse five, David still finds himself in that same ominous valley. Yet, something unexpected occurs - a feast breaks out. Before we explore how we can flourish rather than flounder amid adversity, I want to give you space to pause and thank God in prayer for being a generous host who provides for all of your needs.

For the past few days, we've found ourselves inside Psalm 23, reflecting on the ways God is a shepherd to us. Up to this point, David spoke of green pastures, still waters, and right paths - how God leads and guides. All things we instinctively seem to want and desire. Today, the tone changes as we move to verse four, and David finds himself in a dark valley.

We are cared for and protected by a God who knows us intimately. We don’t want to rush past the powerful reality that God sees and recognizes our needs, and wants to provide for us and sustain us in ways we can’t fathom.

"The Lord is my shepherd...." Hold on...did you catch yourself rattling off the rest of this Psalm without even thinking? You're not alone. Psalm 23 stands as one of the most well-known, often quoted, and frequently memorized pieces of Scripture in the entire Bible. If the Bible had a soundtrack, this passage would likely be the first track. Its comforting words have brought hope and courage to countless individuals wrestling with grief, sorrow, and trials - and rightfully so.

Over the past week, we’ve slowed down, sat with and reflected on the inspiring words of Psalm 1. Today’s devotional will be a little different (and maybe a bit shorter) - as we want to help you, and us as a community, articulate the things we’re learning, sensing, and feeling as well as the way God has spoken to you through Psalm 1. Before we begin, let’s take a moment to pray for wisdom and discernment , that we would tune our ears and posture our hearts to be receptive to God's still, small voice. 

Today, we’re going to see that delighting in Scripture and  enjoying God’s presence does something in us. It molds and shapes us, the question is - into what? But, before we begin - take a moment to clear your mind and center yourself. Empty all your worries, concerns, and anything else occupying your mind, so that God has a space to fill with His truth.