Daily Bible Reading “God is Our Refuge” (Psalm 46:1-11)

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

God is Our Refuge

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 46:1-11. Psalm 46 is a song to the Chief Musician or the director of music. “A Song upon Alamoth” is believed to be a musical term meaning it is a song for soprano voices. I love this: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” What does the word refuge mean? It means shelter from the storm or from danger. God is our protector.

The psalmist says because God is our refuge we will not fear. No matter what happens in life we are assured God is in control. His sovereignty will prevail. Though there may be desolation on the earth, as Christians we can be assured God is our refuge. He will protect us. We need to turn our concerns over to Him.

We can take comfort in Psalm 46:10 which says, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Sometimes you may be tempted to give up because of fear of the enemy or of your circumstances. You may try to stand in your own strength and be destroyed, but when we turn things over to God, He becomes our refuge. He can turn our troubles around and use the outcome of the situation for our benefit and His glory. Then we can remember God and His goodness to us and praise Him forever.

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 46:1-11

1 [[To the Chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.]] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Things to think about:

How have you claimed God as your refuge?
How do you look to God for strength?
In what ways do you take comfort in knowing He is God?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture which reminds us as Christians You are our refuge. You are our protector. We can take comfort in knowing You are God and Your sovereignty will reign both in heaven and earth. Help us to exalt and praise You forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1

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

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Christian Music Video: God Is Our Refuge

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Psalms:
Part 2 Chapters 31-60
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

The Book of Psalms: Part 2 Chapters 31-60 by Deborah H. Bateman is 27th book in 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 his 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 2 Chapters 31-60 contains thirty-five 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 group studies.

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Deborah

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “A Song of Love” (Psalm 45:1-17)

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

A Song of Love

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 45:1-17. Psalm 45 is written to the Chief Musician upon Shoshannim, which is a lily. This represents Christ as the Lily of the Valley. It is a psalm of the sons of Korah. It is a wedding song (song of loves). This psalm is considered a Messianic Psalm, which means it refers to Jesus. This Scripture speaks of a queen and king – royalty representing Christ, the King, who comes to His bride, the church, represented by the Queen.

God’s throne is forever; He is anointed with the oil of gladness because He loves righteousness and hates wickedness. He came that we might have joy. These Scriptures are referred to in Hebrews 1 and Revelation 19.

Who is Jesus? Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is considered to be the Bridegroom of the Church. How does He look at us as His bride? Believers are considered to be the bride of Christ. If you are a believer you are His bride. He loves you. He wants to spend time with you. In the same way we miss Him if we don’t spend time with Him, He misses us. He desires to have an intimate relationship with you.

Notice how the Scripture talks about the queen being adorned for the king. As Christians, we should adorn ourselves with praise, truth, and righteousness. We need to prepare for the bridegroom’s coming. We need to worship and praise Him. We need to listen for His voice.

In the last verse the psalmist says, “I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.”

When a man chooses his bride, it’s because he loves her. She is beautiful to him. We are chosen by Christ to be His bride. We should do what we can to make God’s name known for generations and lift up His praises throughout the ages.

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 45:1-17

1 [[To the Chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves.]] My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, hathand hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
9 Kings’ daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father’s house;
11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
13 The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.
16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

Things to think about:

Are you prepared to enter into the king’s palace?
Have you accepted Jesus as your king?
How can we prepare for His coming?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture. We thank You for Your Son, Jesus. Help us to love righteousness and hate wickedness as You do. As Your bride, help us to get ready for the time when You come back for us. Help us to love, honor and praise You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Daily Bible Verse:

I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever. – Psalm 45:17

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

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PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Psalms:
Part 2 Chapters 31-60
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Go to: Amazon

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “God’s Favor” (Psalm 44:1-26)

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

God’s Favor

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 44:1-26. Psalm 44 is to the Chief Musician, for the sons of Korah. The psalmist says they heard from their fathers how God helped them to defeat the enemy and drive them out of the land. They didn’t do it of their own accord but by the favor of God. Have you ever been in a position where you knew it was God’s favor that gave you victory? Have you ever asked God to give you His favor in a situation?

When we look at this Scripture and we look at other Scriptures in the Bible we see how God’s favor on people’s lives changed the outcome. We can look back on our lives and see things that happened in our lives that were devastating, but somehow God brought us through them. Somehow He turned around what the enemy meant for evil in our lives and caused a good outcome. God uses these triumphs for His honor and glory to further His kingdom.

God’s favor can change the circumstances and help us defeat the enemy who seeks to destroy us. The Bible tells us the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came that we might have a full, abundant, overflowing life. Don’t let the enemy steal your joy. We can’t fight the enemy with our own strength. We have to turn that battle over to the LORD. Then, let God fill your life with His presence, His favor, His grace, His mercy, and His love.

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 44:1-26

1 [[To the Chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.]] We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
2 How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
9 But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
11 Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.
12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
15 My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
17 All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;
19Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.
26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.

Things to think about:

Do you sense the favor of God on your life?
Can you look back in your life and see where God made a difference?
How can you use those experiences to move your faith forward knowing if God helped you in the past He will help you with whatever is going on in your life now? Turn it all over to Him.

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Psalms. Help us to seek Your face and turn to You for deliverance. Help us to keep serving You and loving You no matter the circumstances of life. Give us favor and help us to win the battle over the enemy. Redeem us for Your sake and help us to give You honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Bible Verse to Journal or Memorize: In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. – Psalm 44:8

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

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Christian Music Video: “Because He Lives” – Matt Maher

PS. We thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Psalms:
Part 2 Chapters 31-60
by Deborah H. Bateman

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Have a blessed day,

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Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “Hope in God” (Psalm 43:1-5)

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

Hope in God

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 43:1-5. The psalmist begs God to judge him, to plead his case against the enemy and deliver him. He declares that God is his strength or refuge and asks God why He has rejected him. Have you ever felt like God has deserted you? Have you ever wondered if God heard your prayers?

The psalmist asks God to shine His light and truth on him and to lead him to God’s dwelling place. God is his joy. He says he will praise God with his harp. Have you ever felt discouraged or depressed due to your circumstances? The psalmist reminds himself and us to have hope in God and praise Him. He proclaims that God is his helper. When we praise God it blesses Him and lifts our spirits as well.

I can tell you from personal experience that if somehow you can stop focusing on your situations and put your focus on God and praise Him, He will encourage you and help you get through your situation. As long as you focus on your problems you will be defeated, but when you switch your focus to God your circumstances have to take a back seat. God is bigger than all of our circumstances.

Sometimes our circumstances may be devastating. We may be worrying about the future. If we spend time praying and asking God to turn the situation around, we may be delighted with the results. When we take our focus from our circumstances and put our focus, trust, and faith in God, He will see us through the situation. Have you put your hope in God?

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 43:1-5

1 Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.
2 For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
4Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Things to think about:

How many times have you been distressed because of your circumstances?
What happens when you refocus and put your eyes on God?
How many times has God helped you to get through a difficult situation?
If you are going through a difficult time now put your focus on God and He will help you get through it.

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Psalms. We thank You that no matter what we are going through, with Your help we can make it. Help us to put our faith, trust, and hope in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. – Psalm 43:5

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

Christian Music Video: “All My Hope” – Hillsong

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Psalms:
Part 2 Chapters 31-60
by Deborah H. Bateman

About the book:

Go to: Amazon
Get your copy now!

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Recipe for Life

Daily Bible Reading “My Soul Longs for You” (Psalm 42:1-11)

Posted on June 2, 2024 by Deborah H. Bateman

My Soul Longs for You

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 42:1-11. Psalm 42 is written to the Chief Musician. It is a Maschil for the sons of Korah. A Maschil is a song or a poem of contemplation. The psalm talks about longing for God, as the deer longs for water from the brook. Have you ever thirsted after God? Have you ever desired to be in His presence so much you longed for Him? Sometimes we don’t realize the longing in our hearts is for God. We try to fill the longing in our hearts with everything else, but are never satisfied. There is a place in our hearts and lives that only God can fill. God created us to have a longing for Him.

Jesus says in John 4:14, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Obviously this had been a sad time for the psalmist because he says, “My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?” He was despondent and blue because of the oppression of his enemy. When the circumstances of life overwhelm us, we may become despondent and blue. If we can remember in these times to focus on God and how much He loves us instead of our circumstances, it will help lift our spirits.

The answer to our problems is in verse 11, where it says the psalmist hopes in God and praises Him. If we put our hope in God and praise Him in spite of our circumstances, we will gain the strength we need to go through our circumstances. We can find the answer to our problems through seeking God.

The psalmist was cast down because the enemy was trying to destroy him. But, when he turned his heart to God, God helped to comfort and direct him. Have you ever been in situation where, after you turned the problem over to God, you saw a complete turnaround?

Daily Bible Reading:

Psalm 42:1-11

1 [[To the Chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.]] As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Things to think about:

In what ways do you thirst or long for God?
What do you find quenches the thirst you have for God?
What do you do when you feel despondent and blue due to your circumstances?
How can we turn our hearts to God during difficult times?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Psalms. Help us to thirst for You. Help us to desire to be in Your presence. You are our creator, our provider, our protector, our comforter, our Savior and our Lord. Help us to long to spend time with You. Fill our empty hearts and lives with Your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. – Psalm 42:1

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

Christian Music Video: “Be Still My Soul” – Kari Jobe

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.