BLESSINGS FOR

YOUR SPIRIT
FROM THE BOOK
OF PSALMS
 2
CREDITS

SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Are taken from The Message translation
Copyright 1993—2002
Used by permission of
NavPress Publishing Group

Unless otherwise credited

Photographs on pages 5 and 20

Are by Sharon J. Van Horn

All others are by Martin T. Van Horn

All notes and blessings are original material

By Martin T. Van Horn
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION
2. PSALM 6: RELIEF FROM TORMENT AND ABUSE
3. PSALM 27: RELIEF FROM REJECTION AND ESTRANGEMENT
4. PSALM 32: RELIEF FROM GUILT AND HIDING
5. PSALM 62: RELIEF FROM INSECURITY AND PEOPLE-PLEASING
6. PSALM 77: RELIEF FROM DOUBTS ABOUT GOD’S UNSEEN ACTIVITY
7. PSALM 84: REFRESHMENT ON THE WAY TO THE PLACE YOUR SPIRIT
CALLS HOME
8. PSALM 86: KNOWING GOD
9. PSALM 91: THE POWER OF KNOWING GOD
10. PSALM 94: NEW LIFE AFTER TRAUMATIC SUFFERING
3

INTRODUCTION

Jesus said to his disciples (Jn 6:63) that his words to them were spirit and life. So
it is when God speaks. His Word accomplishes things, such as the Creation of
the world, the destiny of men and nations, and the justification of sinners, who
are then no longer condemned, but free.

Our Heavenly Father is the giver of life and of all good gifts (Js 1:17). Through
Jesus He spoke to us words of life. My desire is to impart to you today words of
life that are based in God’s Word, the Bible.

Our Heavenly Father is the creator of our human spirits. Hebrews 12:9 encour-
ages us to submit to the Father of our spirits, so we may live.

We are learning to start where God starts as He makes us and grows us up as

His children: namely, with our human spirit. “For what man knows the things
of a man, except the spirit of a man which is in him? Even so the things of God
no human can know, but the Spirit of God knows Him intimately.” (I Cor 2:11)

God’s Holy Spirit has to transform us when we are born again. He has to reveal
to us what God is really like and He walks with us every day so we can obey
God’s will. When we bless people’s spirit, they are touched by the Holy Spirit at
a profound level.

I have been studying God’s Word and He has been speaking to my spirit. Using
His words as my basis, I want to bless you now as you read with your god-
given, human spirit fully aware.

Read each Psalm and my notes of encouragement. From God’s Word I bless
your spirit to benefit by the inspired man of God who wrote the text. Read and
soak in God’s goodness to you.

Hebrews 4 says Jesus has gone through everything we have experienced, so we

can go to Him, knowing He understands how we feel. He empathizes with us,
but He did not sin then and He can show us how to cope and not sin today. Je-
sus used to read the Psalms written by David. Jesus quoted from them, even as
he was dying (Ps 22). David’s experienced provided Jesus with link between his
own human situation and His heavenly Father’s heart.

Now we also can look into David’s “prayer diary,” the Book of Psalms, to link
with Father ourselves. David wrote down every trial for us to know God under-
stands us as He did the “man after His own heart.” As we empathize with David
in his pain, his pain and doubts, we can also be lifted up by his responses of
faith and praise and prayer. God’s living Word rejuvenates our spirit to new
faith and comfort in God.

In each Psalm I have found a theme that may speak to your own experience.
Read and re-read the ones you need to rejuvenate your spirit. God bless you!
 4

PSALM 6: RELIEF FROM TORMENT

AND ABUSE
NOTES
OF
ENCOURAGEMENT

David, the writer, knows how abuse If your enemies will not repent and
feels: You are surrounded by your soften their hearts and stop their
tormentors. You are powerless to evil ways, the Lord will have to re-
stop them. move them or remove you from the
Only when you are situation. The Lord
PSALM 6
alone can you let A David psalm.
God is our Judge and
out your true feel- - He avenges the
ings of grief at peo- Please, GOD, no more yelling, no more wrongs done against
ple's evil and hard- trips to the woodshed. Treat me nice for us. Let us not be-
ness of heart, of a change; I'm so starved for affection. come bitter and hard
pain in your own
Can't you see I'm black and blue, beat and vengeful like our
up badly in bones and soul? GOD, how
fear and despera- opponents. Let us
long will it take for you to let up? Break
tion and smallness. in, GOD, and break up this fight; if you rely on the Lord: lis-
love me at all, get me out of here. I'm no tening to us and ac-
Bring your case to good to you dead, am I? I can't sing in tion on our behalf.
the Lord. He will your choir if I'm buried in some tomb! He has no joy in our
hear you. He is not
I'm tired of all this--so tired. My bed has death. He sees our
been floating forty days and nights On tears. He feels our
like your father or the flood of my tears. My mattress is
mother or others soaked, soggy with tears. The sockets of
pain Himself. He is
who did not know my eyes are black holes; nearly blind, I moved with compas-
how to love you. squint and grope. Get out of here, you sion.
Even if they got Devil's crew: at last GOD has heard my
mad at you and sobs. My requests have all been granted, First, I want you to
my prayers are answered. Cowards, my know you are not
yelled at you or enemies disappear. Disgraced, they turn
blamed you and alone in your pain
tail and run.
punished you un- (Psalms 6:1-10 MSG) and despair. Jesus is
fairly, now you have there with you. Ask
Someone who understands. Your Him to reveal Himself.
Heavenly Father is not like them. Secondly, He hears your honest
He is gracious and merciful. His emotions and He responds out of
heart is for the weak and suffering His own justice and mercy. He will
and He sent His Son Jesus as a not change, so you can rely on Him.
Mighty Warrior to save you and Then, leave it up to Him to do what
your enemies. He wants to do for you. Put yourself
in His hands and thank Him for re-
ceiving you.
5

BLESSINGS FOR
YOUR SPIRIT

I call your god-given spirit to

listen in the name of our Lord I bless you with strength to
Jesus Christ and ask your soul present your whole picture to
to learn quietly. God, your King and your Judge.
He will listen. He will under-
I bless you, spirit, because you stand. As David did, you can let
know the true depths of pain out all your feelings and pain,
and fear and despair hurting let Him know how awful your
the body and the soul. During abusers are, tell Him your fears
and unbelief, confess your an-
the day you have to let things ger and nasty reactions, appeal
appear nor- to Him to
mal and ac- save you
ceptable. form death
People and and destruc-
the Enemy tion.
put pressure
on you to ac- I bless you
cept pain with God's
and punish- comforting
ment as presence
though you and comfort-
are to blame ing words in
and you de- your needi-
serve such ness. I bless
abuse. you with
confidence in
I bless you the Lord's
with revela- strength and
tion of your justice for the
Heavenly Fa- unjustly
ther's love and His feelings to- abused.
ward you of approval and un-
derstanding and acceptance. I bless you with Jesus' bless-
Your Father in Heaven created ings of joy promised to every-
you to know Him even though one who suffers in His name.
everyone else around you tells
you lies. He is true and faithful Holy Spirit, come and seal this
and He cares. blessing! In Jesus' Name, I ask.
Hallelujah!
 6

PSALM 27: RELIEF FROM REJECTION

AND ESTRANGEMENT
NOTES
OF
ENCOURAGE-
MENT PSALM 27 walk with you and
A David psalm. stand by your side
David, the and defend you. All
writer, knows Light, space, zest-- that's GOD! So, with him of your failures and
how it feels to on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and
sins and selfishness
nothing. When vandal hordes ride down
live with rejec- cannot put Him off.
ready to eat me alive, Those bullies and
tion. You have toughs fall flat on their faces. When besieged, He knows all about
experienced re- I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks you and has won-
jection and iso- loose, I'm collected and cool. I'm asking derful plans to
lation. Parents GOD for one thing, only one thing: To live make you His child
who should with him in his house my whole life long. I'll and give you a ful-
have loved you contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet.
filling life. He is
That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy
failed to give with you in all the
world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz
you what you of traffic. God holds me head and shoulders challenges you face.
needed. You above all who try to pull me down. I'm He wants you to
long for a headed for his place to offer anthems that solve problems and
friendly, smil- will raise the roof! Already I'm singing God- grow up to matur-
ing, approving songs; I'm making music to GOD. Listen, ity. He even plans
face and words GOD, I'm calling at the top of my lungs: "Be to do miracles to
good to me! Answer me!" When my heart
to match. make His design
whispered, "Seek God," my whole being re-
plied, "I'm seeking him!" Don't hide from me happen.
Whether you now! You've always been right there for me;
know it or not, don't turn your back on me now. Don't throw David's spirit re-
your Father in me out, don't abandon me; you've always sponded to God's
heaven is smil- kept the door open. My father and mother invitation to seek
ing at you in walked out and left me, but GOD took me in. His face and you
Point me down your highway, GOD; direct
love right now. can too. All the joy
me along a well-lighted street; show my ene-
He is proud of mies whose side you're on. Don't throw me to your heart still
the spirit He the dogs, those liars who are out to get me, yearns for is to be
gave you and filling the air with their threats. I'm sure now found in Father
He is willing to I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth. God's presence.
have His Son, Stay with GOD! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll
Christ Jesus, say it again: Stay with GOD.
(Psalms 27:1-14 MSG)
7
BLESSINGS FOR
YOUR SPIRIT
I call your god-given spirit to engage
with my words. It is safe to listen to the
good things God wants to say to you.
Jesus is calling you.
I bless you with strength of heart as you
wait upon the Lord to act on your behalf.
He is strong when you are weak. He is a
shelter when people and the Enemy at-
tack you. God is for you and neither hard-
ships, nor persecution, nor danger, nor
war can separate you form the love of
God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I bless you with joy as
you connect with our
Heavenly Father's joy over
you. He is telling you to
seek His face, because He
is looking for you; He cre-
ated you and He delights
in what He has made.
When you seek Him, He
will be found by you, so
seek with all your heart.
You can know He is there
and He will reward you.
I bless you, spirit, to hear
and recognize the voice of
your heavenly shepherd,
speaking to you person-
ally, to give you strength
and protection. Jesus said,
He is the good shepherd
and His sheep will know
His voice. He is not harsh
and unyielding. He knows
your weakness and need
and He cares about you.
I bless your hope. Your hope comes out
of hiding when you hear the Lord speak
to you in your deepest parts. He is re-
sponsive to you when you cry out, "Lord,
save! Help me! You see my enemies! I am
alone and desperate!" He will answer you.
He is your safe place.
I bless your faith. In those times when
you want to run and hide to save yourself,
I bless your faith in the truth. The Lord is
God. He made you for His purpose and
He is faithful to call you and to answer
your prayers. He is greater than your op-
ponents. I bless your memory of good
times of encouragement, hope, joy and
connection. I bless you to trust the Lord
even when things are scary.
Blessed be your desire, your hope, your
yearning for more of this loving, holy
God. His love burn up your pain and fail-
ure and fears. He removes your hard shell
in the warmth of His home. As you seek
Him out, He will hug you and surround
you with light and friendship.
Blessed is your belonging in the Lord's
family. It is safe to let out the goodness
you have been protecting. Heavenly Fa-
ther invested wonderful, mighty gifts in
you. Let them explode in Father's pres-
ence. Let out your worship and singing,
your gratitude and praise. Your Savior
lives! Your Father is glad to see you! I
bless you as you worship with the eternal
family in heaven. I bless you as you let
out the music of heaven
in your heart. Start hum-
ming and singing what-
ever bubbles up in your
heart. Hallelujah!
I bless you, spirit, in
your search for compan-
ions to walk with you and
share and learn together.
The Lord loves to walk
with His children. He is
gentle but strict. He
knows your needs and
your rebellions. Father
has spoken. He has a
word for you today. He is
teaching you to go His
way. He has sent His Son,
Jesus, to walk with you
and lead you in His right
practices, so you can be
more like Him.
I bless you with comfort
as the pain and injustice
scream at you for revenge. I bless you
with confidence in God's mercy and
God's timing. I bless you as you wait for
the Lord and you don't understand. Add
your "Amen" to David's. You will indeed
see the goodness of the Lord in the land
of the living.
I bless you with new feelings, positive
feelings, a new sense of passion. God
Himself is a flame of love and holiness.
Some of His flame is in you by His Holy
Spirit. Flame up, O flame of God! Jesus,
Light of the world, light up this spirit!
Your home inside this life is warm and
secure. I bless your life you share to-
gether, spirit to Spirit.
I bless you in the Name of Jesus the
Risen Lord!
 8

PSALM 32: RELIEF FROM GUILT

AND HIDING
NOTES
Can you be honest? Will it help? Honesty
OF
can be embarrassing. It can be scary too.
ENCOURAGEMENT You can get hurt. And if people make you
feel embarrassed, ashamed and unworthy,
Let me share some lessons from David's then how would you want to be honest in
experience. Some days you need this more front of the all-seeing, holy God, who is
than others, but it's good to know. Some- over all things.
times you are not sure if God is your
friend or your foe. Your Our failure, our rebel-
life can get into a mess, PSALM 32 lion, our excuses have
so you're not sure how A David psalm. distorted our impression
to get out again. You of who God really is.
pray and you can't al- Count yourself lucky, how happy you must That’s why we need an
ways see how it helps. be-- you get a fresh start, your slate's wiped objective testimony by
When you feel over- clean. Count yourself lucky-- GOD holds other godly people to see
whelmed, you wonder if nothing against you and you're holding how God reacted to
faith really works. nothing back from him. When I kept it all them. Heavenly Father
inside, my bones turned to powder, my
is better and more won-
words became daylong groans. The pressure
Let me reassure you. derful than you ever
never let up; all the juices of my life dried
God is there. He sees imagined. Spirit, you
up. Then I let it all out; I said, "I'll make a
you and He cares about clean breast of my failures to GOD." Sud- want to be connected to
you. We have records of denly the pressure was gone-- my guilt dis- God, but you are flooded
thousands of years and solved, my sin disappeared. These things with overwhelming urges
thousands of people to add up. Every one of us needs to pray; when and desires, you are
know how He thinks all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts threatened by people
and acts. Remember, we'll be on high ground, untouched. God's who want you to do
He is good at saving my island hideaway, keeps danger far from things their way and
people from their the shore, throws garlands of hosannas some people use God
messed up situations. around my neck. Let me give you some like a club to beat you
good advice; I'm looking you in the eye and up. You are confused
Our Heavenly Father giving it to you straight: "Don't be ornery like and can only pretend to
a horse or mule that needs bit and bridle to
loves you, but He is have a handle on reality.
stay on track." God-defiers are always in
wise and realistic too. The Lord God is Spirit
trouble; GOD-affirmers find themselves
He knows your good- loved every time they turn around. Celebrate and He created you to
ness is inconsistent. GOD. Sing together--everyone! All you hon- walk and talk every day
Your good intentions est hearts, raise the roof! with Him.
get waylaid by your (Psalms 32:1-11 MSG)
fears and your rebel- Spirit, be encouraged.
liousness. You have Today the Lord wants to
compromised and your conscience both- strengthen you, teach you and be your
ered you, so you made up excuses. One counselor. He will speak to the problems
bad decision had to be covered by another. deep within you and work His way out-
By now you're not sure how you got here, ward from there to the circumstances
nor how to get out. God won't help you around you.
and then leave you in charge. You'll just
find yourself in a new soap opera.
9
BLESSINGS FOR
YOUR SPIRIT
Let me bless you today with the words
of a man who was freed from guilt and
depression and released to trust and ex-
perience joy.
I bless you with hope. God wants you
free from rebelliousness and from the
shame of failure; free to be honest and
forthright, with no need to
make excuses and fake it.
I bless you with grace
and courage. Let the Holy
Spirit be your guide. Look
inside yourself to see what
He shows you.
"Holy Spirit, we ask you
now: please reveal today
where You want to start
this path to freedom. Show
us Your agenda as we open
up to You."
I bless you with light in
the darkness.
I bless you with clarity in
the confusion.
I bless you with under-
standing to name your
rebellion, to recognize your
failure, to spot your conniving.
I bless you with a sense of relief, know-
ing this is the beginning of freedom, an
open door to strength and integrity, God's
chance to show you His goodness. Speak
to yourself: "Yes! This is my chance to let
God in on what really motivates me. I will
take responsibility for my failures and my
rebelliousness. I will confess my excuses
and what I'm afraid of."
I bless you, spirit, with godly sorrow,
knowing you have not fulfilled your
dreams and you have not lived up to
God's good plan for your life. You have
brought hurt to the Lord who loves you.
You have hurt yourself and your loved
ones. True sorrow makes you human, lets
you feel real emotions. It gives you a clue
how God feels about your sorrows.
I am pleased to let you know that you
are free: free to experience what Abra-
ham, the father of God's people, experi-
enced; what King David, the man after
God's own heart, found out; and what Pat
the Apostle wrote about. "How happy is
the person whom the Lord God treats as
right, not because of doing everything
right, but because they trust in Christ."
Heavenly Father is satisfied with His Son,
Jesus', work for you. Are you satisfied with
Jesus' work on your behalf? If you are,
then you are blessed with forgiveness and
freedom.
By letting yourself experience honesty
and godly sorrow, by agreeing with God
about your sin and what displeased the
Lord, because God has put your failure
and guilt and punishment on Jesus, He
has said He forgave you.
Now, spirit, I can only
add my blessing to God's
own blessing.
"How happy is the person
whose rebellion is forgiven,
Whose failures are covered
by love.
How happy is the person
whose twistedness is un-
twisted
And whose spirit is strong
and sensitive."
Now the Lord is your help
and shelter. From His
strength you can tackle life
again, looking at yourself
and being set free every
day. He is wise and He
won't take away all the
problems until you replace your old
thinking with His wisdom.
I bless you with God's joy today. You
and He have met in the depths of your
being. He brings His love and forgiveness
with Him, and He will stay there to keep
meeting you.
Now He is saying:
"Pray to me before disaster strikes.
Walk with me all day and I will teach you
what pleases me and makes you success-
ful.
When you get into a jam, I will be your
adviser, 'cause I've got my eyes on you.
I don't want you to suffer the pains bad
people do.
Just don't be stubborn like a mule, so you
can learn the easy way, not just by hard
knocks."
I bless you with new joy, new courage,
new faith.
I bless you with remembering God's
presence when you are discouraged.
I bless you with songs and answers to
prayer in Jesus' Name.

PSALM 62: RELIEF FROM INSECURITY
AND PEOPLE PLEASING
NOTES
OF
ENCOURAGEMENT
David's advice to us is
based on his extensive
experience with God and
all kinds of people. He
tells us to center on the
God who can save us and
shelter us and makes us
stable people. Without
quietness resting our soul,
we will look around all
the time for support and
reassurance.
When we look like we
have something to offer,
people will come to us for
what we can do for them.
But since they are just as
insecure as we are, they
rejoice over our weak
points as well as our
strengths. Even when
they flatter us with their
lips, in their hearts they
are gossiping about how
inadequate we really are.
If we are looking for
popularity and approval
to make us feel good
about ourselves, we may
look for people worse off
that us, so we can feel
better about ourselves.
We'll also try to get close
to the in-group to make
us more powerful and
respectable. When re-
spectability doesn’t work, we're tempted to do
something on the sly that will get us ahead.
Even if somebody else may suffer, we tell our-
selves, "That's not all that bad."
If you step back and look at this behavior like
David did, you can see it's all a house of cards.
Everyone is weak and needy, but won't tell the
10
truth, so we all pretend to be better than we
really are. Without help, we are all just takers,
trying to get our "needs" met.
Some day the truth will come out . People will
be exposed. Declining econ-
PSALM 62 omy will bring down even
A David psalm. the haves. As David said,
it's all smoke and mirrors, a
God, the one and only-- I'll wait as long as puff of wind. When you're
he says. Everything I need comes from him, desperate, money seems
so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, like the answer to all your
breathing room for my soul, An impregna- problems, whatever way
ble castle: I'm set for life. How long will you you come by it.
gang up on me? How long will you run with
the bullies? There's nothing to you, any of Don't let short-term sur-
you-- rotten floorboards, worm-eaten raf- vival end in long-term
ters, Anthills plotting to bring down moun- shame and confusion.
tains, far gone in make-believe. You talk a
good line, but every "blessing" breathes a Listen to King David the
curse. God, the one and only-- I'll wait as psalmist. You have to step
long as he says. Everything I hope for comes back from your fears and
from him, so why not? He's solid rock under insecurities, from all the
my feet, breathing room for my soul, An people and things you
impregnable castle: I'm set for life. My help think you need to prop you
and glory are in God --granite-strength and up. Have they really
safe-harbor-God-- So trust him absolutely, helped? Are your needs
people; lay your lives on the line for him. met? Or are you running
God is a safe place to be. Man as such is and running just to stay in
place? God will have the
smoke, woman as such, a mirage. Put them
last word over your life and
together, they're nothing; two times nothing
over everyone else's'. He
is nothing. And a windfall, if it comes--
wants to give you glory and
don't make too much of it. God said this
honor. But you won't get it
once and for all; how many times Have I
by frantically keeping busy
heard it repeated? "Strength comes Straight
to please people or your
from God." Love to you, Lord God! You
church or society around
pay a fair wage for a good day's work! A
you.
David psalm, when he was out in the
Judean wilderness.
What do you have inside
(Psalms 62:1-12 MSG)
you? Can you rest in God's
strength, in His ability to
save you in the situation you face today? Can
you find peace, pouring out your heart to God
as people attack you or let you down? By trust-
ing the Lord for the things that are really im-
portant to you, you will find your heart's needs
are being met and you are more stable in your
relationships as well.
11

BLESSINGS FOR
YOUR SPIRIT

Spirit, let me strengthen you

I bless you with the immense joy
with the truths of Psalm 62. I call
that Jesus had when His Heavenly
you to engage with God and His
Father said about Him, "This is my
Word. He will not condemn you.
beloved son, in whom I am very
He wants to encourage you and
pleased." This is the joy that God
give you strength.
wants you to have in His presence
when you face the Throne where
I bless you with insight into your
He rules the world. As you reject
soul's feeling of in-
everything that lets
security. You know
you down and dis-
the disappoint-
pleases Him, He can
ments and let-
give you the real thing
downs. You know
that will satisfy you
how people have
and bring Him joy
not met your
over your life.
needs. You re-
member how bit-
I bless you with the
ter you became
peace that Jesus
over lost hope and
promised, not as the
evil betrayal. I bless
world says it gives,
you with courage
but the peace that
to confess that God
surpasses under-
never intended
standing and over-
you to be secure in
comes the world's
people or posses-
anxieties. In Jesus'
sions. God in-
peace you will know
tended something
God in truth. You will
better for you and
experience Him
you are still look-
speaking to you. You
ing for it.
will find Him teaching you and
coming to your rescue.
I bless you with grace to forgive
friends and family who said good
Instead of needing things from
things to you but did not mean it.
people that they can't give you,
They are needy sinners like your-
you will have something to give
self and God wants to forgive you,
to them: rightness, peace and joy
if you are willing to let these sins
in God's Holy Spirit. As Jesus said,
against you go. If you forgive the
"Come to us, Kingdom of Heaven!"
people, you will let loose of the
pain. I bless you in this divine
Holy Spirit of God, plant this
grace and power. You are free to
blessing deep in this spirit. We
be like Christ Jesus, who also for-
love you, Lord. Amen.
gave His enemies.
 12

PSALM 77: RELIEF FROM PAINFUL DOUBTS

ABOUT GOD’S UNSEEN ACTIVITY
NOTES When did you experience goodness? Can you
OF remember?
When did someone care about you? A
ENCOURAGEMENT phone call, a listening ear, an invita-
tion?
Are you excited about the things you see God When did you learn that God cares
doing in your life and about you? A friend, a
in the world around PSALM 77 sermon, something on
you? Maybe you're filled An Asaph psalm. TV? How did you feel
with wonder at His that God sacrificed His
I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell
miracles. Son to give you a bet-
at the top of my lungs. He listens. I found myself in
trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was ter life? That He loves
Or do you see your an open wound that wouldn't heal. When friends you and answers your
world as barren and said, "Everything will turn out all right," I didn't prayers?
empty instead? You feel believe a word they said. I remember God--and
like you're on your own. shake my head. I bow my head--then wring my When did you experi-
God has forgotten you hands. I'm awake all night--not a wink of sleep; I ence Jesus? A healing,
and abandoned you to can't even say what's bothering me. I go over the a reconciliation, suste-
your fate. The Bible days one by one, I ponder the years gone by. I nance, courage, a long-
and the churchgoers strum my lute all through the night, wondering ing to read the Bible
seem like an alien
how to get my life together. Will the Lord walk off and share with others?
and leave us for good? Will he never smile again?
planet: no hope for you Where have you seen
Is his love worn threadbare? Has his salvation
there. promise burned out? Has God forgotten his man- God changing you?
ners? Has he angrily stalked off and left us? "Just More patience, less
Psalm 77 was written my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of busi- addiction, more re-
by a worship leader in ness just the moment I need him." Once again I'll sponsible actions?
tough times. He had go over what GOD has done, lay out on the table When did God answer
witnessed the desecra- the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things your prayer?
tion and destruction of you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look
God's Temple by hate- at your acts. O God! Your way is holy! No god is Remembering good
ful vandals. He was great like God! You're the God who makes things times gives you an an-
looking for the Lord happen; you showed everyone what you can do-- chor in the bad times.
You pulled your people out of the worst kind of Remembering God at
Jehovah to rescue His
trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.
People by mighty victo- work in history gives
Ocean saw you in action, God, saw you and trem-
ries, such as God had bled with fear; Deep Ocean was scared to death. you hope for your own
done in the past. But it Clouds belched buckets of rain, Sky exploded with history, that it can be-
didn’t happen! thunder, your arrows flashing this way and that. come “His Story.”
From Whirlwind came your thundering voice,
He knew the stories. He Lightning exposed the world, Earth reeled and Asaph wrote Psalm 77
believed the promises; rocked. You strode right through Ocean, walked to proclaim how impor-
that is until he was too straight through roaring Ocean, but nobody saw tant remembering is to
exhausted to care any you come or go. Hidden in the hands of Moses bring you out of the pit
more. Maybe God felt and Aaron, You led your people like a flock of of despair and give you
the same way, for all he sheep. perspective from out-
(Psalms 77:1-20 MSG)
knew. side your own misery.

When you are exhausted and depressed, even
the Bible and music and prayer don’t seem to
help. They can even lead down to deeper mel-
ancholy emptiness. Where do you look for
hope? To the present? To the past?
Let me bless you, spirit, with the lessons
learned long ago by this believer in a time of
hopelessness, when the world looked bleak and
dead.
13

BLESSINGS FOR ries of God’s mighty acts, His salva-

tion to His People. Once He reached
YOUR SPIRIT
down with a strong hand and a
mighty arm to rescue a million peo-
Spirit, you were created by our ple from slavery. He even split open
Heavenly Father to know Him and an ocean to let them escape a ty-
learn from Him. I call you to at- rant. Nobody could see God’s hand,
tention now in Jesus’ Name and no one could see His footprints in
ask you to let go of anything that the sand. But they felt the wind and
would distract or interfere. saw the water move. They could see
the leaders God sent to help them.
I bless you with strength to face
the feelings in your heart and soul. I bless you, spirit, to see the invisi-
The hopes and desires deep in your ble hand of God in your life; to rec-
heart and the cries of your soul are ognize His foot-
disappointed. You prints in the sand
see the weariness as He carries you
and fear. Old joys, through impossi-
old songs, old ble situations. I
Sunday School bless you, spirit,
stories no longer with a sense of
satisfy. They feel wonder at God’s
like God has for- greatness: greater
gotten, like He no than any politics,
longer cares, like any science, any
He has gotten fed psychology, any
up and left the pill or drink. He is
room. God and He does
wonders.
Spirit, you can go
to Heavenly Fa- I bless you with
ther to find re- faith in place of
sources of strength discouragement. I
and insight you bless you with
don’t have other- hope as you sol-
wise. I bless you dier through your
with grace to days.
search the Father’s heart of love and
find wisdom how to help your heart I bless you with love that had no
and soul. beginning and will have no end. I
bless you with God’s wisdom to
I bless you with new songs to carry solve your problems and humility
you through bitter trials. Your dis- to learn from them. May you see
tress and bewilderment are not big- our Heavenly Father every day and
ger than God. Let your heart find may you hear Jesus’ voice wherever
rest in worshipping in song. Hum! you are. I bless you in Jesus’ tried
Strum! Sing to Him! and true Name. Amen!
I bless you to speak strength to
your mind. Bring back the memo-
 14
PSALM 84: REFRESHMENT ON THE WAY
TO THE PLACE YOUR SPIRIT CALLS HOME
NOTES When you meet another pilgrim, something resonates
OF deep in your spirit. They have connected with the same
ENCOURAGEMENT source of joy. They too have left worldly pleasures for
something better. Even obstacles become part of the
Somewhere out there...is there a place? A place for me: excitement, seeing Jesus guide us along and God the
where I'm loved, accepted, cared for? A place where Father meet our needs.
I'm not alone, but other people click, we connect, and
we resonate with each other? Am I talking about church? Is
PSALM 84 that where pilgrims gather?
This search, this yearning, this A Korah psalm. Maybe! Look and see; there may
fragile hope begins deep inside be people ready to climb God's
us. If you listen, you'll find it, What a beautiful home, GOD of the Angel Ar- Mountain together. Most likely
or you'll remember feeling that you'll also find some who like
mies! I've always longed to live in a place like the base camp more than the
desperate cry once upon a this, Always dreamed of a room in your house,
time. All of us humans were ascent to the summit.
where I could sing for joy to God-alive! Birds
built with a compass in our
spirits that points us to eter- find nooks and crannies in your house, spar- I don't know how far along you
nity, the heavenly city. rows and swallows make nests there. They lay are on your journey. But I do
their eggs and raise their young, singing their know you must trust Jesus
God created us with eternity in songs in the place where we worship. GOD of Christ, our guide. He came
our hearts. That's why you and down the Mountain to us to
the Angel Armies! King! God! How blessed they
I are on a search. This world is remove the baggage of sin that
are to live and sing there! And how blessed all would have kept us from ever
not our home. Planet Earth
those in whom you live, whose lives become meeting God. If you have placed
gives us a taste of something so
good, nothing else satisfies. roads you travel; They wind through lonesome your life in Jesus' hands, He will
valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool be there to save you from every
Actually we are pilgrims. The springs and pools brimming with rain! God- stumble and drought and enemy
God who loves us, wants us traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, attack. Then you need the Guid-
dissatisfied, because He fash- ing Spirit of God in your human
and at the last turn--Zion! God in full view!
ioned us to live and walk with spirit, so you can follow His
God of the Angel Armies, listen: O God of whispered guidance. Oh yes and
Him. We need to keep moving,
Jacob, open your ears--I'm praying! Look at our get a copy of the field guide, the
from battle zone to battle zone,
from tent to tent, from our
shields, glistening in the sun, our faces, shining Bible.
house to God's House. with your gracious anointing. One day spent in
your house, this beautiful place of worship, I am climbing the Mountain of
Our pilgrimage starts with the beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. God too. I know what it's like at
highways in our hearts. One I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God the summit, since the field guide
taste of the goodness of God tells me. We get stronger and
than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin. stronger as we climb; we throw
starts our feet into motion. All sunshine and sovereign is GOD, generous in
Where can I find love, joy, off excess baggage of bad atti-
gifts and glory. He doesn't scrimp with his trav- tudes; we hear some music float-
companionship, music and
dance? eling companions. It's smooth sailing all the ing down to us and we send our
way with GOD of the Angel Armies. prayers on ahead.
Pubs, dance halls and taverns (Psalms 84:1-12 MSG)
leave a bitter aftertaste and God has guaranteed His reward
demand more and more from us, while giving no more when we finish the last push. He
back. Where we want to go is up to the top of God’s give us glory and honor. He has every good thing on
Mountain. tap, ready to dispense. That will be where we can rest,
not trying to do it all ourselves, but resting in God,
The spirit in us says, "Go!" The Spirit of God says, our sunshine and shield.
"Come!" The company of pilgrims, underway and at
the peak, all call out "Come join us!" "We come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem and to uncountable armies of
It turns out you aren't alone. Many many have heard angels, to the general assembly and church of God's
the call of the Place they want to be. You can join the children where our names are recorded and to God the
pilgrims on the hike. They don't wear any badge or Judge of all and to the fellowship of spirits of other
uniform, but they do know Jesus, God's Son, and they cleaned up pilgrims who reached the goal, and to Jesus
keep looking up the directions in God's field guide, the guarantor of God's permanent arrangement, cre-
His Word, the Bible. ated by the value of His blood shed on the Cross for us
sinners." (Hebrews 12:22-24)
15

BLESSINGS FOR to the Father. Only by trusting Jesus can you

escape your frustration, because Jesus is the
YOUR SPIRIT way.

I speak to you tenderly, spirit, because I I bless you with joy at getting rid of the heavy
know you have been hurt and disappointed baggage God calls sin. He wants to forgive you
many times. Spirit, I want you the know you and set you free if you let Him. I bless you
are not alone. People have harmed us and the with anticipation, knowing God has a plan
Enemy wants us to give up hope. But, spirit, for your life that will delight you and fulfill
there is a loving Father in heaven and He you.
gave us His strong Son, Jesus, to lead us to a
Place that matches the deep desires you I bless you to learn God's dreams for you in
were created with. place of your own broken dreams. I looked so
good to you, but all was not as it seemed. Let
You know without a doubt that joy is your Father replace the dust and wreckage with
birthright. You are valuable; you're special something better: a better you and a new des-
and talented. Some people knew that and re- tiny.
joiced over what they found in you. But cele-
bration is short and disappointment is long. Heaven is celebrating the goodness of God
You wonder "Why am I here?" "Where do I fit and the victory of Jesus Christ. Father rejoices
in?" "What am I sup- over you with singing.
posed to do?" People He sees the spirit He
don't have all the an- made, the gifts He gave
swers, nor does school you and how they will
nor church nor televi- unfold. All of the hosts
sion. of heaven are excited
over your walk of faith.
Spirit, I want to let you
in on God's secret. He Spirit, I bless you with
has placed Eternity in new excitement over
our hearts, a piece of discovering what your
His eternal home where obedience will produce:
He created us. There- new creativity, new
fore we keep searching blessings to other peo-
everywhere in this ple, new songs of God's
world for something to salvation. I bless you to
meet our needs and see new substance in
make us happy. But you your heart and soul,
have learned nothing even though you have
down here lasts very to leave behind old
long. That's because things you thought
deep inside you there is were good.
a whisper of a better
world, where your Cry out to the Lord, he
Heavenly Father is in will hear your heart.
charge and has every- Send Him your bur-
thing ready that dens, your questions,
matches who you really your pains and your
are. search for more of Him. He will answer and
you will experience the satisfactions of know-
I bless you, spirit, with new hope, new ing God.
awareness of this divine longing, this nagging
discontent. I bless you with confidence to Spirit, I bless you with the experience of the
bring your cries to Father without embarrass- Psalmist:
ment. Let Him know everybody else has let "Better is one day in God's presence than
you down. 1,000 elsewhere."
"I would rather hang out with the Lord than
I bless you to know the difference between with the wrong celebrities."
God's tender call that awakens your yearning "Father will not withhold any good thing from
and your anger over people that let you down. me in my growing maturity."
"Happy is the person who rests in the Lord of
I bless you, spirit, with fresh insight why hosts."
God's perfect Son, Jesus Christ, had to come
into this imperfect world to show us the way
 16
PSALM 86: KNOWING GOD
NOTES OF ENCOURAGEMENT who your are and what you can rely on, no matter how
you feel or how your circumstances look.
You are busy, but take a few minutes to think. You’re
under pressure, but take a moment to rest. The Lord Second, your conversation in your soul opens up new
God is here with us. Eternity asks only a few seconds feelings. Ask the Lord for His joy to dwell in you.
to download truth to your spirit. You’re ready. Your Imagine lifting your soul up in your hands and asking
spirit is crying out for more of God, more of His real- Him to fill you like a drinking glass. Did you know
ity in your life. the Lord has feelings? He re-
PSALM 86 joices over your trust in Him.
Let’s look at your experience. As you feel His approval, you
A David psalm. are strengthened. Tell Him,
Let’s look at God’s experience
and at King David’s and at “Lord God, Your joy is my
Paul’s. Bend an ear, GOD; answer me. I'm one miserable strength. Forgive me for all the
wretch! Keep me safe--haven't I lived a good life? thoughts and deeds that stand
There is so, so much you have to Help your servant--I'm depending on you! You're in the way of knowing You and
do: money and cooking and my God; have mercy on me. I count on you from receiving what You want to
cleaning and repairing; the boss, morning to night. Give your servant a happy life; I share.”
your family, your husband or put myself in your hands! You're well-known as
wife and children and friends; good and forgiving, bighearted to all who ask for This conversation in your soul
cars, home, doctor, shopping; help. Pay attention, GOD, to my prayer; bend will never stop. There are times
paying bills, planning get- down and listen to my cry for help. Every time I'm of thanks and rejoicing, times
togethers, vacations. in trouble I call on you, confident that you'll an- to release worship of the Lord
swer. There's no one quite like you among the for His goodness and His great
What is it all for? Who is in deeds, because He is unique
gods, O Lord, and nothing to compare with your and His glory shines through all
charge? I anyone getting some-
thing out of all this effort? Am I works. All the nations you made are on their way, heaven and will shine in the
my appointment calendar? ready to give honor to you, O Lord, Ready to put whole earth.
your beauty on display, parading your greatness,
Instead of looking around, let’s And the great things you do-- God, you're the one, Security and peace in your soul
look inside for a moment. Inside there's no one but you! Train me, GOD, to walk releases your heart to hope and
you is a holy place, fashioned by straight; then I'll follow your true path. Put me to care. Life is change; life is
God our Father as a place for together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I'll conflict. You can ask God to
you and He to meet together. worship in joyful fear. From the bottom of my teach you His way in the confu-
He wants to furnish it as a heart I thank you, dear Lord; I've never kept secret sion of choices. Ask Him to
home, full of light and love. He what you're up to. You've always been great toward give unity in your heart, where
wants to plant a garden, freed of me--what love! You snatched me from the brink of many conflicts arise. Let Him
bitterness and growing fragrant disaster! God, these bullies have reared their have the last word over your
flowers and sweet fruit. Let us feelings, your decisions. God’s
heads! A gang of thugs is after me-- and they don't way may lead through threaten-
go there and meet with Him.
care a thing about you. But you, O God, are both ing situations, but you can trust
First, we want to ask God to tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in God has a good purpose. Obe-
guard this holy place. “Lord Je- love, and you never, never quit. So look me in the dience will lead you to praise.
sus, we claim the cleansing eye and show kindness, give your servant the Insecurity is not the end, faith
power of Your blood and ask strength to go on, save your dear, dear child! Make is a step toward God’s glory and
You to surround this poor, a show of how much you love me so the bullies your fulfillment.
needy soul with Your hedge of who hate me will stand there slack-jawed, As you,
protection. Meet us here. Thank GOD, gently and powerfully put me back on my Now we can check out the land-
you.” feet. scape. Are you surrounded by
(Psalms 86:1-17 MSG) opponents? By hardened peo-
Your soul is special to the Lord. ple? By dangerous risks? Call
He created your spirit to spend out to God to show Himself:
time with Him and learn His ways so He can teach He is Savior; He is mercy; He is strength. Once Jesus
your soul, your mind, your will, your emotions. He saved you from the darkness and despair of hell. Many
gives you godly, eternal perspective on your life, your times He brought you through scary, troubling prob-
work, your family, your job, your enemies. lems. Ask Him to do it again.

Your soul is a place to talk together, you and God.
Your spirit brings insights from the Father’s heart to
yours. Your mind thinks over God’s revelation of
Himself. Moses asked God to show Himself and in
Exodus 34:6 we read what God said, “The Lord Jeho-
vah, the compassionate and merciful God, slow to
anger and abundant in grace and truth.”
The truth of Who God is lays the foundation to know
We can look confidently to Him a third time, because
if you are God’s child, Jesus’ follower, a servant of the
most high God, then His Name and reputation are
bound together with your life. Let us go to Him,
“Heavenly Father, your Name is great in all the earth.
We are asking for a token of Your goodness in the
middle of this situation so people may see and believe
and be saved, even if some turn away and go to de-
struction.”
 17

BLESSINGS FOR goodness and you will praise the

YOUR SPIRIT Lord your God with all you heart.
Many will see and hear and be trans-
Spirit, I have good things to say to formed.
you. Soul, leave behind your grief
and doubt and fear. Spirit, I invite Now I want to let you in on the
you to experience more of God’s joy blessings Paul wrote about in II Co-
and strength by seeing more of His rinthians. Spirit, God has shined His
salvation. light into the darkness of your heart
so you can experience the glory of
Spirit, I bless you with the revela- God in the face of Jesus Christ. The
tion Moses experienced in Exodus Spirit of the Lord is meeting with
34. The Lord Jehovah you. I bless you as
wants you to know He is He transforms
the compassionate and you by looking
merciful God, who is slow into the mirror of
to anger, but abounding Jesus’ glory. You
in grace and faithfulness. are becoming
He pardons wickedness, more and more
rebellion and sin, but like your Lord. I
does not let the guilty go bless you, spirit,
unpunished. The Lord as you experience
has made a covenant weakness, even
with you through Jesus’ deadly weakness,
perfect sacrifice and He with Jesus. Today
will do signs and won- Jesus is alive by the
ders in your life so people power of God and
around you can see how He will break into
awesome He is. your weakness
with His power. I
Spirit, take a moment to bless you in weak-
savor your privilege to ness and in God’s
get to know this spec- power as God
tacular God, who will be faithful to shows grace to the people watching
you and will answer your prayers… your life.

Spirit, this time I bless you with
David’s faith expressed in Psalm 86.
Spirit, the Lord’s grace is great toward
you: He has delivered your soul from
destruction in hell and from every
threatening danger. In your day of
trouble you will call to the Lord and
He will answer you. God will do great
and marvelous deeds because He
alone is God. I bless you to learn
God’s way and walk in His truth.
Spirit, all these things are for your
sake, that abundant grace might
through the thanksgiving of many
abound to the glory of God. Just as
the suffering of Christ seem to over-
flow in your life, He will overflow you
with comfort and companion-ship
only He can supply.
I bless you, spirit, with God’s mercy
in your need and with God’s glory
in your answered prayers.

I bless you to receive an undivided

heart to fear the Lord’s Name. You
will be blessed with signs of God’s
 18
PSALM 91: THE POWER OF KNOWING GOD
NOTES like an action movie.
You are the star in your own crime-
OF fighting, monster bashing, war movie.
ENCOURAGEMENT For you to make it to glory requires
you to have a really big and tough
We all have an Enemy who hates God friend, who’s stronger and smarter than
and hates us too. He schemes to dis- all the bad guys—some of whom are
honor the human, but
L o r d PSALM 91 
some of
G o d ’ s (An expanded literal translation from the Hebrew  
by Martin Van Horn) 
whom are
good char- invisible,
1. The one who settles in the shelter offered by the Most High to whom-
acter. All
ever runs in, will find lodging so close he’ll be under the shadow off The  m e a n i n g
of us hu- Almighty.  2. Personally, I have decided to tell Jehovah “You are my  they can
mans are protection and my mountain fortress; I am trusting You as my  o u t s m a rt
b e i n g God.” [my Lawgiver, Teacher, Protector, Defender, Provider and Object  you and
duped into of worship and my Source of identity] 3. [By revelation and by my ex- sneak up
helping perience I give you assurance:] Jehovah will extract you from the sneaky  on you un-
him injure mesh of the Trapper and from the pervading pandemic. 4. The motherly  a w a r e s .
and dis- strength of His feathered wings will cover you and you can find shelter  Even a ma-
courage there. His faithfulness will stand between you and your Enemy like a  chine gun
our fellow broad shield and breastplate. 5.You will not fear panic attacks at night,  won’t help.
creatures. nor the attacks you can see during the day. 6.[Jehovah will preserve you  You need a
We think as you go through] the plague at twilight or the destruction that strikes  super ac-
we’re the at noon. 7.All around you, you may see a thousand fall [into trouble,  tion hero
good guys confusion, destruction and death] even a great number right beside you  with any
and those [but don’t flinch] 8.Because you [will live to] see the wicked get what is  army at his
mean peo- coming to them. 9.[A lot of these things happen in spiritual realms  command.
ple ore the where we can’t see them, but] if Jehovah is really who you go to for 
And you
baddies. shelter and the Most High God is the One you hang out with 10.then 
evil [that starts in the spirit world] will not trouble you and these poten-
have one.
Truth is, His name is
tial disasters will not get to your earthly location. 11.For Jehovah has 
you and I Jesus.
armies of heavenly angels He can order to guard you in all your activi-
are bad-
ties. 12.Their hands will be there to lift you over [fears, temptations, ad-
dies in our dictions and traps] that might trip you up. 13.Instead you will exercise  He helps
own way, god-given authority [in Jesus’ Name] to tread on the lion and cobra, to  you avoid
scheming trample the great lion and serpent. 14.[Jehovah knows you too, since  booby traps
to get you rely on Him and have seen what His authority can bring about, so  and land
what we He wants to reassure you.] “Because this one is so attached to Me, I will  mines. You
want, even help him slip through the opponents’ fingers. I can lift him because he  can run for
if someone has submitted himself to the authority of my Name and he knows Me.  cover and
else has to 15.I will listen when he calls to me; I am with him in his trouble and get  stay in ra-
pay. him out of trouble and honor him. [After all he has been through,] his  dio contact.
long life will make him satisfied and I will show him all that I have  When ene-
Thanks be saved him for.”   mies attack
to the he sends
Lord of reinforce-
glory that ments and air power. Even though you
all our lives are not “nasty, brutish and may not know what’s going on, Jesus
short.” God made us and we are a mag- sees the whole battlefield. He wants
nificent work of art and engineering. you to trust Him. He’ll see you
He loves us and has a wonderful plan through, even though you’re over-
for each of us, but bringing it to pass is whelmed and scared.
 19
BLESSINGS FOR
YOUR SPIRIT
Spirit, let me bless you in Jesus’ mighty
Name. Listen to God’s reassurance as you
fight your way through the battlefield of life.
I bless you, spirit, to know your own weak-
ness, but to grab hold of God’s strength.
He is reliable to shelter you despite your
pain and despair. Go to the Lord for His
strength, for His perseverance, for His calm
in the middle of turmoil. You feel you can’t
go on. Call on the Lord; tell Him He is your
oasis, your home away from home, your
roadmap and guide. Run to the
Lord and draw on His re-
sources to refresh you.
Spirit, listen when your alarm
bell rings. God is warning you
something is amiss. You may
not understand, but that’s all
right. His Spirit is letting you in
on things going on behind the
scenes. Ask the Lord to explain
what to look out for. Don’t
barge ahead into the Enemy’s
trap. Spirit, take heed!
The Lord is a mighty warrior
and he is a motherly nurse. He
knows you need a breather and
He can give you quick cups of
spiritual energy, or eyes to see
His great goodness. I bless you
to synchronize your needs
with His timing. You can relax under His
covering, His wings, His canopy. He is there
for you. You don’t have to do anything; just
rest. Spirit, take His peace!
Spirit, you don’t always understand what
God is doing. You can ask Him for wisdom,
but many times He does not answer the
question, “Why, God?” Only He Himself
knows the end from the beginning, sets out
the times and seasons to accomplish His
will. Spirit, take faith!
The Lord is assuring you that you are special
to Him, spirit. You are subjected to money
problems, health problems, family problems
just like everybody else. But the Lord know
all about it and He puts all His resources at
your disposal, right in the middle of it all
today. Take hope!
You are pressured by these problems, but
not crushed. Spirit, you can be pro-active.
Guard your mind from the spirit of the
world: seeking selfish advantage, paying
back damage for damage, imagining all the
pleasures you could enjoy for your self and
avoiding the hard work of obeying the true
and living God. Spirit, say, “Yuck!”
The Word of God is your spiritual food. Look
out for His Spirit to hit you between the eyes
as you read or remember what Father has
said; there are treasures in the Bible waiting
for you to uncover. You will need them for
nourishment and for war. Spirit, you are at
home in the invisible world of spiritual real-
ity. Everything good starts
in Heavenly Father’s heart.
Take grace to explore the
wisdom, healing and
power He has ready for
you in Jesus.
Yes, there is opposition.
Everything good meets
resistance. Everything evil
also starts in the spiritual
realms. Thank God, not
all the evil aimed at you
has reached you. Jesus has
sent the armies of heaven
to help His family. Some
of these warring angels are
shielding you right now.
You pray and they fight.
Take courage!
The Spirit of God will alert
you of dangers. He wants you to avoid them.
Evils can also attack you, threaten you, shock
you. Reach out and hang onto Heavenly Fa-
ther’s promises when you are surrounded
and get stuck. By the authority of Jesus’
Name, spirit, bring God’s power into your
battle. Say, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! In
Jesus’ Name, be gone!” I bless you with
confidence in Messiah Jesus.
The Lord Himself says, “Because you have
attached yourself to me, the Enemy cannot
hold you. I will bring you closer to Myself.
Because Jesus, my Chosen One, has all au-
thority and you submit to Him, I will hear
you when you call to me. And the Name of
Jesus will be mighty to save you. I will honor
you because you honor Him. Spirit, I created
you, I am with you now and you shall be
with me forever. You will see all I have pre-
pared for you.”
 20
PSALM 94: NEW LIFE AFTER TRAUMATIC SUFFERING
NOTES Rely on the Lord to do what is right and choose
to side with Him. He is going to judge you and
OF the evildoers both. He wants to give you a
ENCOURAGEMENT peace that overcomes the world while He is
preparing just punishments for the murderers,
Seeing violence on television is shocking, hear- exploiters, traitors and boasters.
ing about crime on the radio is horrifying and
reading about exploitation in the news pro- There evil come a time when the swaggering
vokes our outrage. But if you have been a par- bullies fall into a pit dug by their own ambi-
ticipant, then you have been traumatized like tion. Inside yourself you can proclaim their
the writer of Psalm 94. defeat, their foolishness, their ignorance. They
delude themselves into thinking they escape
Your world has been scrambled, or at least it God’s justice.
looks upside down, The bad guys are winning.
They’re stronger and they boast grand schemes You could slide down this same slippery slope.
to take over. The When you are
Lord God you be- GOD, put an end to evil; avenging God, show your colors! Judge of  disoriented and
lieved in to make the earth, take your stand; throw the book at the arrogant. GOD, the  depressed, seem-
right prevail seems wicked get away with murder-- how long will you let this go on? They  ingly alone and
to have shrunk and brag and boast and crow about their crimes! They walk all over your  overwhelmed, it is
disappeared. easy to give up on
people, GOD, exploit and abuse your precious people. They take out  your only anchor:
You want to hid anyone who gets in their way; if they can't use them, they kill them.  faith in the God
and you’d really They think, "GOD isn't looking, Jacob's God is out to lunch." Well,  who is faithful. If
like to lash out and think again, you idiots, fools--how long before you get smart? Do you  you grab hold of
“show them what think Ear-Maker doesn't hear, Eye-Shaper doesn't see? Do you think  the Lord, he will
for.” How can you hold onto you.
the trainer of nations doesn't correct, the teacher of Adam doesn't 
make sense of what Not only does His
know? GOD knows, all right-- knows your stupidity, sees your shal- grace support you,
happened? And the
lowness. How blessed the man you train, GOD, the woman you in- but His comfort
truth better not be
all depressing be- struct in your Word, Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of  brings you inex-
cause you need new evil, while a jail is being built for the wicked. GOD will never walk  plicable joy
hope and strength. away from his people, never desert his precious people. Rest assured  t h roug h y ou r
that justice is on its way and every good heart put right. Who stood up  spirit to your soul.
You can recover. for me against the wicked? Who took my side against evil workers? If 
You can stand on a GOD hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it. The min- You need protec-
firm foundation tion, a place to
and there are others ute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, GOD, took hold and  hide and rest. The
already standing held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me  Lord is your for-
there too. down and cheered me up. Can Misrule have anything in common with  tress. You need
you? Can Troublemaker pretend to be on your side? They ganged up  allies to stand
Our writer ad- with you and fight
on good people, plotted behind the backs of the innocent. But GOD 
dresses God and for you. The Lord
became my hideout, God was my high mountain retreat, Then boo- sent His Son Je-
himself; he talks to
meranged their evil back on them: for their evil ways he wiped them  sus to stop the
the bad guys and
the good guys. You out, our GOD cleaned them out for good.   cascade of evil and
need to hear him (Psalms 94:1-23 MSG)  revenge by absorb-
and you need to   ing the injustice
speak out yourself. and giving for-
Tell the Lord God giveness in return.
to set things straight, to pay back the evildoers The Devil gave
for their wickedness. You need to let out your Jesus his best shot, but the Lord came back
desire for revenge, because God told us only stronger than ever. He will help you rebound as
He is allowed to take vengeance for us. We well.
only make matters worse.
Jesus Christ and His People need to stand to-
Tell the Lord to show He really does care about gether. Some want to compromise with the
the People identified with Him: the believers world system to get influence, but God’s
who trust Him for life and salvation. Throne in Heaven is pure and unadulterated.
Until His righteousness prevails, God will keep
Remind yourself: if you do bad things, you be- sending judgments and the godly will work for
come an evildoer, just like the ones you hate. righteousness wherever God makes an opening.
 21
BLESSINGS FOR
YOUR SPIRIT
The Father of our spirits is speaking
to us through His Word. I bless you,
Father-created spirit, in Jesus’
Name with insight from God. He
sees your sufferings, your questions,
your trauma.
I bless you with discernment to see
the God who suffers with us, but
without sin. The Psalmist asked,
“who will rise up for me
against the wicked and
take a stand against
evildoers?” God’s an-
swer is Christ Jesus, our
Champion and Savior
and King.
All the evil you see and
don’t see was laid on
Him and judged and
punished. In return for
evil done to Him, Jesus
gave back forgiveness
and love. Because He
overcame evil and
death, He now lives to
give us a different kind
of life. Our writer declared the bless-
ing of this new life. “Happy is the re-
sponsible person the Lord disci-
plines, though with suffering. The
Lord personally gives them insight
from His Word.”
I bless you, spirit, to receive disci-
pline from the Father’s hand in
your suffering and to be open to lis-
ten to God speak personally to you
from His Word. I bless you to be
more like Jesus in suffering and in
triumph.
Until the end Jesus lived in God’s
peace, not dependent on circum-
stances. He passed His peace down
to us, “not as the world gives, but a
peace that overcomes the world.”
Here you too are comforted, pro-
tected, loved. You are like a refugee
from the evil. You run to the Lord for
shelter and He becomes your fortress
in the middle of plotters and boast-
ers. You have to wait until His time to
deal with the wicked, violent people.
I bless you with Jesus’ peace that
goes beyond comprehension, the
peace He had from Heaven.
Until the end you can get
back at the Lord’s enemies
by launching missiles of
love and prayer-propelled
blessing. Your caring
deeds and spiritual rain
falling from heaven will
undermine the power of
evil. Your own anger will
dissolve as you see their
prison of hate and Jesus
the Liberator. God will
pull out the rug from un-
der the cycle of attack and
revenge.
I bless you with grace to
bless your enemies. Bless
them with revelation of
the Holy One. Bless them with mercy
and grace to repent from their sin.
Bless them with an encounter with
God’s love and Jesus’ Cross. Bless
them with understanding for the
Good News of salvation in Christ Je-
sus.
Spirit, celebrate the grace of God
that saved you from being an evil-
doer. Thank Him for His help in your
confusion and distress. Thank Him
for His gift of peace and joy. Praise
Him for His righteousness and jus-
tice and timing.