Be of Good Courage

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 31:1-24. Psalm 31 is a Psalm of David to the Chief Musician. David proclaims that he trusts in the LORD. Who or in what do you put your trust? David asks God to deliver him and not let him be ashamed. What makes you feel ashamed? How does shame change the way you act?

David asks God to hear his prayer and deliver him from the enemy. David says God is his rock, his fortress, and his strength. He asks the LORD to lead and guide him.

David cries out to the LORD for mercy. David was in trouble. He was grieved over his situation. David says he was a disgrace to his enemies, and especially his neighbors. David’s enemies were looking for ways to destroy him. He declares that he was like a broken vessel. Have you ever felt broken?

David praises the LORD for having mercy on him. He is grateful to God for protecting him from the enemy. David had many enemies. Many times he was running and hiding out in caves to keep from being killed. David’s enemies were physical. We can also be pursued by the enemy himself, the devil, who goes about seeking to destroy us. He may come against you physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. He may attack your family, your finances, or anything else he can and try to destroy your testimony. David calls on the LORD to protect him from his enemies, and we can also call on the LORD to defend us against the enemy.

David reminds us that we can trust in the LORD to take care of those of us who are faithful. My favorite verse in this Scripture is Psalm 31:24 which says, “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” Do you have hope in the LORD?

Many of David’s Psalms begin with the troubles that he is facing, but by the end of the Psalm he acknowledges God. David begins this Psalm by begging God to deliver him from his enemies, but by the end of the Psalm he is reminding us of God’s goodness toward His children.

How many times do we, like David, begin our prayers with our troubles, only to be reminded by the Spirit of God and His wonderful power to save us?

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 31:1-24

1 [[To the Chief Musician, A Psalm of David.]] In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
6 I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
8 And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.
9 Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
11 I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.
17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Things to think about:

• In what ways do you express your trust in God?
• In what ways do you consider God to be your rock and fortress?
• In what ways has God protected you and given you strength against the enemy?
• David seems desperate at the beginning of this Scripture, but what is his attitude by the end?
• David trusted God to deliver him from his enemies. What are you trusting God for today?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Psalms. You are our rock and our fortress. You give us strength and protect us from the enemy. You are merciful and forgiving. Even though we fail You, You love and care for us. Help us to have courage Help us to always be grateful and praise You for Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Excerpt from The Book of Psalms: Part 2 Chapters 31-60

Christian Music Video:

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Featured Book:

The Book of Psalms: Part 1 Chapters 1-30

by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Psalms: Part 1 Chapters 1-30 by Deborah H. Bateman is part of the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters. Deborah divided The Book of Psalms into five books to make it easier to read and study. Each book will contain approximately thirty chapters from the book of Psalms.

Psalm 119 will not be included in The Book of Psalms since Deborah has already published a book about it called: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet. The book of Psalms is one of Deborah’s favorite books of the Bible. It is a great book to read if you’re ever feeling down or need to renew your relationship with Christ. King David went through a lot of tough times in his lifetime, but he loved God and trusted God to protect him from the enemies.

The book of Psalms was written by various people. About half of it was attributed to King David, whether they were written by David or for David is questioned by some biblical scholars. Some of the Psalms were written by Asaph and some say they were written for the sons of Korah and even Moses and Solomon were writers of the Psalms. The Psalms consists of poetry that was primarily meant to be used as songs of praise to the Lord.

The Book of Psalms Part 1 Chapters 1-30 contains thirty-one Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individuals or groups.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah