In Psalm 34 David begins with praise to and boasting in the LORD and calls on others to join him in magnifying the LORD.  David writes numerous times of how the LORD has delivered and rescued him.  David writes of how the LORD is for those who fear and seek Him and is against those who are evil.  The point that sticks out to me this morning is in verses 9 and 10 where David writes, “⁹ Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! ¹⁰ The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”  The emphasis is that those who fear and seek the LORD will lack nothing, they will not be in want.  Those who know the LORD through faith in Jesus will have everything they need, for Jesus is the ultimate treasure. Peter reminds followers of Jesus of this very thing when he writes in 2 Peter 1:3, “³seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” Knowing Jesus gives His people everything they need for life and godliness.  This world has nothing to offer compared to Jesus.  LORD, thank you that in Jesus I lack nothing, but have everything I need to glorify You and in so doing I am most satisfied.

– Bryan McKenzie

Psalm 24 is a Psalm of David expressing the LORD’s greatness and His sovereignty over all.  It begins with acknowledging that the LORD is the creator of all things.  Then based on his greatness and sovereignty, David asks the question, “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?  And who may stand in His holy place?”  The answer is those with clean hands (actions), pure hearts (attitude) and those who have not sworn deceitfully (words).  And those who humbly seek Him will receive the blessing of righteousness from the God of their salvation. Verses 7 & 9 exhort the gates and doors to stretch themselves to allow for the entrance of the Greatness of the Great King.  HE is so great and awesome that even the great gates cannot receive him in their current form. The great news is that those who seek the LORD today with a humble heart will be given the Righteousness of God through faith in Jesus and be able to enter His presence. This is made clear in 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” LORD, thank You that I can come into Your awesome presence, because of Jesus’ righteousness that has been given to me through faith in Him.

– Bryan McKenzie

Psalm 2 begins with the rebellion of mankind against the Lord and His anointed one (the earthly king and ultimately the Divine King/Messiah).  The next part of the psalm is the Lord’s response to their rebellion.  The Lord responds with laughter at their futile rebellion against His sovereignty.  He responds also with a declaration that He will set up his King over them regardless of their rebellion.  This ultimately points to the Messiah, Jesus, as the King who is set up to reign says that the Lord said to me, “You are my Son, Today I have begotten You.” – this verse is quoted in Hebrews 1:5-6 in reference to Jesus. In verses 10-12, the response to the rebellion of the people is not immediately judgment, but a gracious and merciful call to repentance.  The Psalm ends with a reminder and motivation to repent and honor the Lord and his anointed one with the word, “How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”  Lord, help me honor Jesus and take refuge in Him.

– Bryan McKenzie

My family likes to go camping. We enjoy it for several reasons, but among them is simply just getting out in nature and experiencing God’s handiwork. We spent Thanksgiving break in Guadalupe River State Park. We hiked, geocached, and skipped rocks across the river. I’m always amazed by the majesty of God when I stand out under the open sky to look at the stars or when I hike out to the edge of a cliff to see the beauty below. Like the psalmist, I find myself asking, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” One can’t help but look at this kind of grandeur and beauty and turn to give God praise. His glory is evident. This is another reason I enjoy taking the family camping. I hope to instill a habit in my children of recognizing God in His creation. They “declare to glory of God” (Ps 19:1) and God has spoken to me in these kinds of moments. God has declared Himself to me in these settings. Sometimes I need to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in order to gain perspective and hear from God. Now, of course He can speak anywhere and everywhere in ALL of creation, but for whatever reason I’m drawn to these places. Maybe it’s like Hosea 2:14 where God “allures” Israel into the wilderness so He can “speak tenderly to her.”

I would encourage all of you my friends to find a way to recognize and observe His creation. It could be a big trip to the Grand Canyon or simply taking time to really look and reflect on what God has done with the flowers in your neighbor’s yard. If He takes the time to do those things, remember how much more He cares for you as His child. Praise Him for His handiwork.

“The wonder of creation speaks to everyone in different ways; but those who know and love the Lord can for His handiwork give praise.” – David Sper

Steve Corn

In Esther 8, King Ahasuerus promotes Mordecai to the place Haman once held and gives him Haman’s possessions. Esther asked the King to stop the decree which called for the extermination of the Jews on the 13th day of Adar.  King Ahasuerus allowed Mordecai to write an edict of his own to counteract the previous one drafted by Haman.  Mordecai wrote an edict that allowed the Jews to fight against those who would try to destroy them on the 13th of Adar and it was sealed by the King’s signet ring.  This caused the Jewish people to rejoice.  The LORD had brought deliverance to his people and preserved the line of the Messiah.  Once day the Messiah, Jesus, would come and deliver them from an even greater enemy, sin.  LORD, thank You for sending Jesus to fight and win a battle I was unable to win, the battle against the penalty, power and presence of sin.  Empower me to live as one who is forgiven.

– Bryan McKenzie