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Central Haywood Church of Christ

Serving God from the mountains of North Carolina

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Psalms

You Are Worth That Much

Read: Psalm 144–150
Today’s Passage: Psalm 144:3–4 (ESV)
“O Lord, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.”

The psalmist asks a question that stirs the heart: Why would God value us so highly? From a purely human point of view, it’s easy to see our limitations. Life is short. Our days fly by and often feel futile. As James 4:14 reminds us, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

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Search Me, O God

Reading: Psalm 139–143

Today’s Reading: Psalm 139:23–24

Psalm 139 proclaims God’s universal presence and infinite knowledge, showing how He knows our every thought, word, and deed. These words could have been spoken by any one of us praying for help. The closing prayer in this section is among the most powerful and necessary in the Bible. The last four psalms are David’s heartfelt pleas for protection. They reveal the struggles of a heart seeking to stay close to God while surrounded by adversity. David did not pretend to be perfect—his words are raw, vulnerable, and deeply honest. That honesty is what makes the Psalms so relatable and powerful for us today.

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God’s Enduring Mercy and Our Grateful Response

Read: Psalm 132–138

Today’s passage: Psalm 136:1–3

How many times did the Lord rescue David? It’s hard to say—we don’t even read of a single battle he lost. Repeatedly, the Lord showed up in David’s life, shielding him in every struggle. What stands out in these psalms is David’s deep trust and love for God. This love wasn’t born out of convenience but out of intentional reflection. David noticed the blessings. He paused to consider them. And that shaped his heart of gratitude.

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The Rejected Stone Becomes the Cornerstone

Read: Psalm 108-118

Today’s Passage: Psalm 118:22-24.

In today’s reading from Psalm 118:22-24, we encounter a powerful image: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

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When Sin Rules Over Us

Read: Psalm 106–107

Today’s passage: Psalm 106:39–41 (ESV)

“Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the whore in their deeds. Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, and he abhorred his heritage; he gave them into the hand of the nations, so that those who hated them ruled over them.”

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The Incomparable God

Read: Psalm 88-91

Today’s Passage: Psalm 89:6-8

Alright, let’s dive into this passage from Psalm 89. The writer here is really doing something profound. He’s praising God, but he’s doing it in a way that makes you stop and think. He’s not just listing off God’s attributes; he’s drawing us into a conversation, and that’s a powerful way to get us engaged. He’s asking questions, and they aren’t just any questions; they’re rhetorical.

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Ready to Praise.

Psalm 67-71

Psalm 67:3–5 reminds us of a central calling for every believer: “Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!” The psalmist highlights that praising God flows naturally from a heart that has experienced His goodness. Real praise isn’t forced—it springs from genuine gratitude. When we reflect on all the ways God has shown His love, protection, and care, worship pours out of us as naturally as breathing.

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Standing Firm in Hard Times

Psalm 52–59, with a focus on Psalm 57:4, highlights a time in David’s life when he was surrounded by trouble. Sometimes we too face actual hardships, maybe at work, in the home, or even unexpected crises we never saw coming. David’s prayerful words remind us that it’s normal to feel frightened or stressed when circumstances seem overwhelming. But just like him, we can hold onto hope because God is bigger than whatever we face. Even in dangerous situations, David found the strength to praise God rather than dwell on his fear.

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Trusting in God’s Eternal Promises

Read: Psalm 36-39.

Today’s Passage: Psalm 37:1-3.

The contrast between man’s wickedness and God’s perfections is clear. Lovingkindness, as seen in Psalm 36:7, parallels the concept of grace in the New Testament. Psalm 36:7 states, “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” These passages also emphasize the contrast between the lifestyle of the wicked and deceitful versus the righteous and forgiven.

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No Reason to be Ashamed.

Read: Psalm 31-35.

Today’s Passage: Psalm 31:17.

Psalm 31:17 reminds us that we have no reason to be ashamed: “O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol.”

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Fear vs. Faith

Read: Psalm 23–30

Today’s passage: Psalm 27:1

David knew what he was talking about. There were many times in David’s life that he had reasons to be afraid. He could have been afraid of Goliath like the rest of the army of Israel. Instead, he trusted in the Lord, declaring, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1).

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Recognizing the Need for God.

Scripture Reading: Psalm 10–17.

Today’s Verse:

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.” (Psalm 14:1)

The psalmist’s words may strike us as severe. To call someone a “fool” for denying God’s existence feels blunt. But the Bible often uses strong language to reveal deeper truths. Here, a “fool” isn’t merely a person who lacks intelligence. Instead, it describes someone who lacks the wisdom that acknowledges God’s reality and authority over creation. This denial of God leaves them vulnerable to poor judgments, leading them down paths that harm themselves and others.

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Walking Wisely.

Read: Psalm 1-9.

Today’s Passage: Psalm 1:1

The Bible is very clear that believers are not to turn to unbelievers for advice or form binding relationships with them, such as in personal or business partnerships. This principle is outlined in 2 Corinthians 6:14, which says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” Psalm 1:1 reinforces this point: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.”

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Psalms: a window into the heart of man.

For many years, I read the Psalms as historical works of poetry that were theological in purpose. I believed their primary purpose was to reveal something about God. Now don’t misunderstand me; Psalms teaches us a lot about God and our relationship to Him but that is not their purpose. Continue reading “Psalms: a window into the heart of man.”

Creating a Pure Heart.

Have you ever struggled with sin in your life? If you are like the rest of us, everyone who lives and breathes, then I know you have. How many times have you struggled to stop and repent of a sin only to find yourself back there again? It can be the most heartbreaking, discouraging place you could find yourself and yet we find ourselves there more often than we would like to admit. Continue reading “Creating a Pure Heart.”

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