Soulfood

The psalms of the day for the twenty-second day of each month are 22, 52, 82, 112, and 142.

Psalm 22 is the prayer of the Man forsaken by the Father. As we consider how to die to sin and self so as to grow in hesed (steadfast love) for God and neighbor, we pray by Jesus that, like him, we will trust in the Father in the midst of our struggles and afflictions. And we pray that we would have faith to praise God in the middle of our sorrows, hurts, loneliness, and persecution. May we be encouraged to persevere in dying to sin and self – taking up our crosses and losing our lives – as we follow after Jesus remembering the crown of life for which we strive!

 

Psalm 52 cries out to the God Whose love is steadfast (hesed again!) even when we are surrounded by those who are seeking or seem to seek our destruction. Whatever persecution we are facing, we thank God forever because He has done great works. We will wait for His Name, for it is good, and we will rest in the presence of the godly. Pray by this psalm that we would be steadfast and faithful in YHWH and trust His name no matter our circumstances. And pray that we as a congregation would be for one another the godly ones who gather together for the sake of YHWH’s name, loving one another with steadfast love (hesed) and faithfulness as a testimony to YHWH’s great name.

 

Psalm 82 is a prayer to God to bring justice to the earth for the weak, the fatherless, the afflicted, and the destitute. As we pray this prayer, we prepare our hearts for the times when the weak, the fatherless, the afflicted, and/or the destitute are set in our path, so that when we see them we are disposed to help them rather than pass by or ignore their needs. As we pray this psalm, we remember those who are suffering and alone and pray for them – asking also for our Father to give us wisdom, strength, and resources to help them and deliver them as we act on His behalf. 

 

Psalm 112 helps us remember who we are called to be in Jesus Christ. We pray through this psalm that we will call to our minds at all times who we are, and to whom we belong – and that we will be enabled more and more to live to righteousness and die to sin. As we pray through the attributes of the upright, we have opportunity to ask forgiveness for the areas in which we fall short, and repent in hope that God will look at us and see the Righteous One who lived a life of obedience that we could not, so that we can live with God in the everlasting life! We also give thanks through this psalm for the blessings we receive as those who are clothed in Christ’s righteousness. 

 

Psalm 142 is a prayer for those who are lonely. As we pray this prayer, we may call to mind those in our midst who feel isolated and ignored. Let us ask as we pray that the Holy Spirit will call to our minds someone who needs a friend and give us courage and motivation to reach out. And if we are feeling lonely, may we remember in this prayer that we are never truly alone because we are in fellowship with the Father in the Son by the Spirit. If you are feeling lonely and isolated, may you be encouraged as you pray this psalm to reach out for a friend, or be a friend yourself to others who feel friendless. Truly, the righteous surround us at all times – may we have wisdom and discernment to see the reality through the darkness of depression and anxiety – or the fog of stress and busyness – or the cloud of exhaustion – and see the truth that we are not alone! Lord, have mercy on us Your people, for Jesus’s sake!