The book of Psalms is my favorite book in the Bible. There I can find comfort, encouragement, sympathy in times of doubt, and many exhortations to praise God (can praise be mentioned too often? I think not!).
The Bible says that God knows each of us by name and claims us as his own. The below devotionals, taken from the book of Psalms in the classic King James Version, give evidence to this mighty truth.
Share these daily reflections with your child and meditate together on your identities in Christ!
1. [His] Olive Tree
I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
Psalm 52:8-9
We are God’s tender plants—his well-cared-for olive trees. We are not like the dry, water-forsaken cactus, alone in a desert. We are in the house of God where our heavenly Father is able to watch over us daily, watering us, feeding us, exposing us to the sun’s warm rays. We are sheltered from the storms outside, trusting in the mercy of our Lord forever. Thus do we praise him forever and rejoice in his deeds for our good.
Father, I am fully yours. I am like your green olive tree set apart in your heavenly greenhouse. There you care for me. You water me, feed me, and make sure I partake of your radiant light. The goal, Lord, is for me to be a fruitful olive tree in your house. This, dear Father, is my purpose. Therefore, I continually praise you and wait on your name. Blessed are you, O Lord!
Today’s Takeaway
God cares for me like a master gardener
watches over his tender plants.
2. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:14-16
Have you thanked God lately for his care in creating you in your mother’s womb? You were made by the Lord, in his image and carefully woven together to form a unique you. From the top of your head to the bottom of your feet, you were designed by the Creator of the universe. The psalmist knew “right well,”
as do we, that our very creation necessitates praise.
Thank you, Father, for creating me, overseeing every aspect of my conception. Yes, I am fearfully and wonderfully handcrafted by you. In your book all my members were written; I was fashioned by you when I was made in the secrecy of my mother’s womb. O Lord, marvelous are thy works indeed!
Today’s Takeaway
God took great care in forming me in my mother’s womb.
He made no mistakes.
3. Crowned with Glory and Honor
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet.
Psalm 8:3-6
Is it not amazing that God has created all of mankind and each of us with individual care? And after creating us, he remains mindful of us through our entire lives. He visits us with his presence, even when we’re unaware. Still more, he crowns us with glory and honor. How can we not love and praise our wonderful Lord?
Father, once again I ponder your greatness and my smallness. And yet even in my insignificance, you find value equal to the life of your Son. He was the perfect lamb sacrificed for my sins, an event of great significance. And indeed, you count all that happens to me as significant. You have turned insignificance into great significance. For this, and for all you are, I praise you.
Today’s Takeaway
Though I am small, God is mindful of me.
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The KJV Devotional from the Psalms, by Harvest House Publishers, features an eloquent collection of devotionals for readers seeking encouragement and comfort from the Psalms. With a mix of beloved Bible verses and short spiritual applications, each entry prompts believers to lift praise to the Lord for his unending mercy and faithfulness.
Learn more about KJV Devotional from the Psalms here.
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