Ecclesiastes 4

"Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken." vv.9-12

Read chapter 4
Companionship.  It's a wonderful thing in so many ways despite how hard it may be at times. Just before these verses nine through twelve we read of the lonely man with no end to his toil and miserable business.  Then we see the comparison of two better than one because they have good return for their work.  It's like the two have each others backs when something goes wrong, or two people working at the same thing gives help in decision making and accountability.  Solomon goes on to compare also of two keeping warm because they can feed of each others body heat, but you can't do this without another warmblooded being.  Then he says another instance: if one's in a bad situation its a lot easier to be protected if someone is with you and will fight for you, a single person is a much easier target.  Then Solomon brings in the number three.  Three strands aren't quickly broken.  Have you ever tried to break a chain of three strands of whatever material?  It's a lot harder even if it's only floss because they're so woven together.  I like to think this third strand is the Lord Jesus in the midst of our relationships whether with a spouse, best friend, neighbor, sibling, etc.  Even when turmoil comes if the Lord is so woven into those relationships, they will stand.  What relationship is true to this verse in your life?  Which of your relationships need Christ woven in?

Ecclesiastes 3

"For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity.  All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust. Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth?" vv.19-21

Read chapter 3
Dust.  It's what we were and what we will be.  Just as it says in Genesis 3:19, "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”  This goes for believers and nonbelievers alike, the difference will be in the resurrection.  Here it compares men and animals that all have the same ruach (Hebrew for spirit or breath).  Just because man has dominion over animals doesn't mean man has dominion over what happens at death.  Now this isn't saying that dust is "hell" or heaven.  It's saying we become earth again and our spirit or break departs from us.  Just as the beginning of the chapter says "there's a time to be born and a time to die" (v.2) so we all are appoint once to die: "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment," Hebrews 9:27.  He asks the question "who knows if the spirit of man rises?" Do you?  If so prove it.  
Is it hard to admit we are but dust?  Yet praise the Lord, He has made beautiful things out of dust!

Ecclesiastes 2

"I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.  I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards." vv.3-4

Read chapter 2

Solomon goes on to list what he partook in to see what was worthwhile.  First he tries cheering himself with wine; thinking that alcohol brings happiness, and maybe it does for a quick moment, but we all know it doesn't last.  How often do people drink wine or other type of alcohol to be "happy"?  What may be your reason to drink?  

Solomon goes on to mention "embracing folly" which we don't know specifically what type of folly he's referring to here but can speculate of the many things that drinking alcohol can lead to or authoring he later mentions he tried.  

Next Solomon lists great projects he undertook.  These projects listed are successes in the world's eyes bringing fame to himself for all he did and accomplished.  Its' not bad to have projects to provide for yourself and family and make a living, but to do it out of pride and for appearance sake is vain.  He also just seems to keep himself always busy and never time to enjoy what his hands have done.  Does this sound like someone similar to you or maybe yourself?  Are you constantly keeping yourself buy to pass time or look good to the world than enjoying the moments of this life?  

In all this Solomon's God-given wisdom stayed with him.  He wasn't ignorant of the folly he was partaking in.  What Godly-wisdom might be speaking to you in your folly?

Psalm 89

"My covenant I will not break,
Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.
35 Once I have sworn by My holiness;
I will not lie to David:
36 His seed shall endure forever,
And his throne as the sun before Me;
37 It shall be established forever like the moon,
Even like the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah  

vv.34-37

Read chapter 89

This chapter speaks a lot about David, the one whom the Lord sought out and anointed (verse 20).  The covenant that the Lord made with David is reminded here by the psalmist and pleads with God to be remembered at the beginning of the chapter.  The Lord then answers of His faithfulness towards not only the nation of Israel but His promise to David specifically.  

David and the Lord had a special relationship due to David's humbleness and faith and therefore God gave him the promise that he shall have a throne forever.  Yes this speaks of Jesus Christ who was born as a babe in the line of David, but also speaks literally of David.  He too will be exalted on a throne, a place of authority, in the future kingdom as we read in other passages as well in scripture (i.e. Ezekiel 34 & 37).

Look though at the charateristics and promises of the Lord; they are firm and true.  

• He will not break His covenant, vow, promise
• He doesn't change His wording as a deception
• He won't lie

"Alterations and afterthoughts belong to short sighted beings who meet with unexpected events which operate upon them to change their minds, but the Lord who sees everything from the beginning has no such reason for shifting his ground" (Spurgeon). 

What more confidence than these characteristic do you need in a god?

Ecclesiastes 1

"The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem." v.1

Read chapter 1
Ecclesiastes is not just another book in the Old Testament.  As every book is unique in its own way this one has to be read with the right view to understand its purpose.  You will notice that some verses contradict scripture, but as we know God's word is perfect there has to be a reason for seemingly contradictions.  This book is a sermon on how to get by in man's government, not according to God's government.
Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon.  Here he is called the Preacher.  In Hebrew the word is KOHELETH and means the person who is head of the assembly.  Ecclesiastes is the Greek word for the Hebrew word Koheleth.  You may recognize the greek word ekklesia which is often translated church in the new testament yet the meaning is more specified as "one who is out called."
As you may remember Solomon asked God for wisdom and it was granted to him and became the wisest man in all the earth.  Yet even all the wisdom he had he still chose to partake in what the world lived like.  As you read consider the things in this world that are meaningless or vanity and why.  Whats the first thing that pops in your mind?

Psalm 88

"Loved one and friend You have put far from me,
And my acquaintances into darkness." v.18

Read chapter 88

This is a sad psalm that doesn't have a resolve in or at the end of it.  The psalmist cries out to God and declares the truths he knows of God and His ways but seems to be worn out by it.  He doesn't seem to give up in his prayers to God though as if it's the only thing left to cling to.  

This verse eighteen from the NKJV is a little different from other versions that change some meaning.

You have taken from me friend and neighbor—

    darkness is my closest friend. (NIV)

Thou hast put far from me lover and friend, Mine acquaintance [is] the place of darkness! (YLT)

You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
    my companions have become darkness. (ESV)

So we see that the psalmist's loved ones and friends have gone from him and his closest friend now is darkness (not that his friends are in darkness as the NKJV seems to suggest). He had no friends anymore and when he tried to take a friend it was only darkness that abounded.  Sometimes that's when you realize how valuable friends and loved one are if you didn't before. When has been a time that all your friends have gone from you and darkness is your closest friend?  Did you cling to God in prayer during that time?  What hope can you be reminded of during those dark days of your soul?  How can you value better friendships around you today?

Psalm 86

"Show me a sign for good,
That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed,
Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me." v.17

Read chapter 86
I want to be a reflection of Christ, that all my actions are reflecting Jesus.  Also by grace and mercy that God has shown me in my days that that would cause others to ponder on the Lord.  That this would be a sign for good, a sign others would turn to the Living God and fear Him.  When we rejoice through trials because of the hope and promise we have in Christ usually makes the wicked even more mad.  Not that just one man does this but that many Christians show this in their daily lives.   Those whom God protect and comforts he "makes them not merely safe but joyful. This makes the foes of the righteous exceedingly displeased, but it brings to the Lord double honor" (Spurgeon). 
When have you seen others amazed at God's favor to and through someone that has caused them to be ashamed and turn to the Lord?

Psalm 87

"The Lord will record,
When He registers the peoples:
“This one was born there.” Selah

Read chapter 87

This is a short psalm or song that praises the city of Jerusalem, where God's Holy Mountain will be, Mt. Zion.  Many nations are mentioned here, some of whom were enemies of Israel, yet mentions that they will be mentioned as being born there in Zion.  These nations seem to have been regenerated by God.  When the great commission in Matthew 28 says, "Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit;'" this here seems to be the fulfillment of that where the nations have become disciples of God.  They are reborn out of him just as Nicomdious asks the question "How can one be born when his is old?" (John 3:4)  And then Jesus answers, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (vv.5-6).

How great will be the day when all nations are born out of Zion, all administering God's government throughout the whole earth, even some that are wicked now will be made righeous.  Bring the Kingdom!

Psalm 85

"Mercy and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth,
And righteousness shall look down from heaven." vv.10-11

Read chapter 85

Beautiful personification here of four virtues: mercy and truth, righteousness and peace.  It sounds like a marriage where the two become one.  Seems very true in a lot of marriages of how the husband balances the wife and the wife balances the husband.  It's a good balance to keep them both grounded.  I think the same is true of what we need in ourselves, a healthy balance of each.  Some of us are more easily merciful and may need God to to balance you with truth and others of us are more outright truthful and need to learn to have a bit more grace.  

Righteousness can't help but give what is due and peace allows the for unity between us and God.  When Christ came the Law was fulfilled and the gospel delivered what the law promised.

All four are needed to fulfill God's promises and to reflect His character.  These pairs of characteristics were separated at the fall of mankind and joined and embraced again when Christ died and rose.  Only Christ is the perfect balance of both mercy and truth, righteousness and peace.

Which characteristics do you need to spring forth and balance more in your life?

Psalm 84

"For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness." v.10

Read chapter 84

One of my favorite psalms.  My friends and I made up music to go along with this whole psalm which made for a fun and easy way of memorizing the whole psalm but also express the truth through more emotions.  This chapter is also an inspiration of the famous worship song "Better is One Day ."

How would you describe a perfect day?  When has been a day that you've just been happy all day?  What was it about that day?  Now think about what one day with the Lord would be like.  Is that something that your soul longs for?  

"The psalmist is saying here, 'I would rather be able to spend one day in or near the place where God is than to spend any length of time with those who don’t love God, the ungodly.' He’s talking about the blessings of being near God. It’s not a deprived way to live.  I think sometimes we think, 'If I trust the Lord—really trust Him—if I surrender my life to Him completely, I’ll be miserable. Maybe God will make me stay single. Maybe He’ll never let me get married, or maybe God won’t bless me with a child, or God will make my life hard in some way.' I want to tell you that if you trust your life to God or if you don’t trust your life to God, life will be hard. One way or the other, life is hard. But I want to tell you, if you do trust your life to God, life may be hard, but it will be blessed" (reviveourhearts.com).

Do you long for even just one day with the Lord than a thousand days elsewhere?   Sometimes I feel like my job is like a "doorkeeper," a job no one really thinks about or cares about, but I remind myself I'd rather be a doorkeeper in this ministry I'm in than to not be apart of it all and then I find so much joy and long for nothing more.  Would you desire to be a simple doorkeeper just to be in the house of God?

Psalm 83

They have taken crafty counsel against Your people,
And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” vv.3-4

Read chapter 83

Conspiracy.  Evil plotting with wicked to destroy the righteous.  "Malice is cold blooded enough to plot with deliberation; and pride, though it be never wise, is often allied with craft" (Spurgeon).  

Israel was God's chosen nation and despite their shortcomings God honored and protected them.  This didn't make other nations happy of the grace and mercy shown them, rather made them furious.  Evil is intolerant of good.  They plotted how to not just hurt but destroy Israel.  Ultimately it is God they are mad at and hurting His chosen people is how they think they can win against the Might God.  The nations listed that follows in verses six through eight are neighbors, nations formed from nearest of kin (Edom), childhood friction (Ishmael), hereditary foes of Israel's past, etc.  

How often do we see conspiracy today against believers in Jesus Christ (to us directly or hear of those around the world)? How often is it from people that are close to us or others whether fellow citizens, fellow countrymen, family, childhood friend, etc? This psalm is the last we see of Asaph and is a prayer and song of the imminent dangers and wars they would face.  So we should not be unaware of the battles arising against us and let us remember it's ultimately against God, not us.

Psalm 82

"I said, “You are gods,
And all of you are children of the Most High." v.6

Read chapter 82

God calls his people gods.  Kind of confusing since there is to be only one God right? 

First we need to realize who Asaph, the writer of this psalm is speaking to.  In verse one he says he 'stands in the congregation of the mighty.'  He's preaching to the judges of Israel not to the whole nation.  

Second, the Hebrew word for gods here is elohim which is plural for god, rulers, judges, either as divine representatives or reflecting diving majesty and power.

So he's calling them judges like God, greatest honor and responsibility was put on them.

"To the words of this verse our Lord appealed (John 10:34 ff.), when the Jews accused Him of blasphemy because He claimed to be one with God. In virtue of their call to a sacred office as representatives of God the judges of old time were called gods and sons of the Most High, and this in spite of their unworthiness. Was it then blasphemy, He asked, for one who had received a special consecration and commission as God’s representative, one whose life and work bore witness to that consecration, to call Himself the Son of God?" (Cambridge Bible)

God allows men to rule over men so that there is some form of government and a type of what's to come of the perfect government, the Kingdom of God.  It's hard for men to be given much honor from God and not be proud of it. 

Psalm 80

"O Lord God of hosts,
How long will You be angry
Against the prayer of Your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears,
And given them tears to drink in great measure." vv4-5

Read chapter 80
Are you crying out to God over and over again and wondering if He hears you?  Wondering when He'll see you in your distress and finally answer your prayers?  The tears spoken of the psalmist here aren't tears caused by pain from their enemy but tears caused by feeling abandoned by God.  Natural that God's angry of our sins, but here we see He's angry with the prayers.  Are the prayers in vain? Distrust? Against the truth of God's character? So God feeds them with tears. "Their meat is seasoned with brine distilled from weeping eyes. Their meals, which were once such pleasant seasons of social merriment, are now like funeral feasts to which each man contributes his bitter morsel. Thy people ate bread of wheat before, but now they receive from thine own hand no better diet than bread of tears. "And givest them tears to drink in great measure." Tears are both their food and their drink, and that without stint. They swallow tierces of tears, and swim in gulfs of grief, and all this by God's own appointment; not because their enemies have them in their power by force of arms, but because their God refuses to interpose. Tear bread is even more the fruit of the curse than to eat bread in the sweat of one's face, but it shall by divine love be turned into a greater blessing by ministering to our spiritual health" (Spurgeon).
Are your tears so many that you could take a drink?  The last verse of the psalm we see longing fulfilled and that only by God's grace.

Psalm 79

A psalm of Asaph

O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance;
Your holy temple they have defiled;
They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

Read chapter 79
This psalm is by Asaph, whom we see many psalms written by (50 and 73-83).   "Asaph was appointed by the Levites to serve as a temple musician—“to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments”(1 Chronicles 15:16-17). In 1 Chronicles 16:5 we learn that Asaph served as the chief of the musicians, or the minister of music, during King David’s reign. The twelve psalms he wrote reveal that Asaph was a godly man—one who served God faithfully, abhorred injustice, and encouraged others to keep their eyes fixed on the steadfast love of the LORD.  Asaph affirmed God’s sovereignty, goodness, and power. He also spoke honestly about his own confusion and frustration during difficult times" (digdeeperdevotions.com). Each time Asaph struggled we see him each time return to the truth and promises of God in the midst of chaos. 
This psalm starts off as a complaint as he sees Jerusalem invaded and nothing but a heap of ruins is such as Jeremiah might have written when he sees the destruction of the beloved city.  Asaph is a patriotic poet and speaks of times of invasion, oppression, and national overthrow in the beginning of this psalm and continues with prayer and ends with God's promise.
How can you show patriotism for your country right now?  How can you show patriotism for God's Kingdom of whom we are really citizens of?

Psalm 78

I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings of old,
3 Which we have heard and known,
And our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children,
Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. vv.2-4

Read chapter 78

The law of God and all that He did for Israel was to be remembered and passed on from generation to generation. Both good things and bad things were to be remembered so that they wouldn't forget what they had learned.  This psalm speaks clearly and plainly to a large crowd.  Though it's called a parable doesn't mean that it is confusing but more means of a weighty message; just as dark sayings of old isn't in the words themselves dark but whats contained in them "concerning God’s transcendent goodness to an unworthy people, and their unparalleled ingratitude for, and abuse of, such eminent favors, and their stupid ignorance and insensibleness under such excellent and constant teachings of God’s word and works, are indeed prodigious and hard to be believed."  This wasn't just one particular time but 'of old', a great measure worn out by men's minds.  Just was we see in our government of learning from the past to not make the same mistake again, but often times the same thing does happen again just in a different form.  We need to learn and accept man's faults and grasp God's grace that we don't fall in to the same repetition of rebellion and returning.  What have you shared with the next generation?  How can you?  What is something you've learned from the generation before you that you want to make sure doesn't repeat?

Psalm 77

I cried out to God with my voice—
To God with my voice;And He gave ear to me
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
My soul refused to be comforted. vv.1-2

Read chapter 77
Do you ever feel like this, your soul refusing to be comforted?  You know the answer is to go to God but when you do your soul is still in anguish?
Like Jacob over the loss of his son Joseph or like Rachel weeping for her children we read of the psalmist soul refusing to be comforted.  They didn't get the gracious answer they wanted and wouldn't be consoled till obtained answers of the questions we see in verses seven through nine.

"Days of trouble must be days of prayer; when God seems to have withdrawn from us, we must seek him till we find him. In the day of his trouble the psalmist did not seek for the diversion of business or amusement, but he sought God, and his favor and grace. Those that are under trouble of mind, must pray it away. He pored upon the trouble; the methods that should have relieved him did but increase his grief. When he remembered God, it was only the Divine justice and wrath. His spirit was overwhelmed, and sank under the load. But let not the remembrance of the comforts we have lost, make us unthankful for those that are left. Despondency and distrust under affliction, are too often the infirmities of believers, and, as such, are to be thought upon by us with sorrow and shame. When, unbelief is working in us, we must thus suppress its risings" (Matthew Henry)

Over and over again in the Scripture we're told to cry out. Why is that? I'm not sure except that I think sometimes we feel a little foolish saying aloud out of the earnestness and desperation of our hearts, "Lord, I need You!" But if we don't come to the place of verbalizing it, our hearts may not have been sufficiently humbled. 

Psalm 81

"I am the Lord your God,
Who brought you out of the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it...He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat;  And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you." vv.10,16

Read chapter 81
Today's Thanksgiving when I'm reading and writing this devo and kind of ironic about opening our mouth wide and talking about filling it with finest of foods to satisfy.  I was asked to bring sweet potato casserole for the Thanksgiving meal I was invited to with another family.  I've never made it before and want to make sure I do it right on such a special holiday where food is such a delight.  Someone told me there's a premix I could just buy that just takes a few minutes than the hour or two to do it from scratch.  Yet as I debated for many reasons what method I wanted to cook I thought, "Why do we settle for cheap substitutes when God wants to fill us with something that really does satisfy?"

"God wants to satisfy our thirsts and our deepest longings. God has a provision for our thirst. He created the thirst. He made us in such a way that we are not filled without Him, and He wants that thirst to drive us to Himself as the provision. Now it's encouraging to me to know as I read God's Word that God wants to satisfy my thirsts and my deepest longings. They will not all be satisfied this side of heaven. That's important to remember, but God does want to satisfy my thirsts and my deepest longings" (reviveourhearts.com).

I'm going to make the sweet potato casserole from scratch, knowing that it will be worth it for that extra homemade taste.  I'm also going to take this day of no work to open wide my mouth and heart for God to satisfy my heart and deepest longings.  

Psalm 76

"You caused judgment to be heard from heaven;
The earth feared and was still," v.8

Read chapter 76

How readily can Jehovah command an audience!  God will speak.  And when he does all will here.  His voice will stop everyone in their footsteps.  God will set things right according to his perfect order and cause all to reverence and fear him alone.  

Psalm 76 sings of victories and the promised hope that well follows the faith declared and shown the the previous psalm 75.  This psalm sings in the past tense, yet seems to be what we are all still waiting for.  This could be the psalmist singing as to the sure hope that it will happen and after it does will be able to look back and praise God that his judgements have come in to the earth.  It may also refer to victories in battle that the Lord provided many of times throughout the old testament.  Following the  turmoils of war, when the oppressor's power was broken, came fear and respect and God was honored for having given rest to the peoples.  It may be that in the latter days he will speak to constrain all the earth, than just a few nations, by some similar miracle of power in the realms of grace and cause to submit to the reign of his all glorious Son.   Ready to hear God's voice and stand in an awe we can't comprehend now?

Psalm 75

"When I choose the proper time,
I will judge uprightly." v.2

Read chapter 75

God is never before His time, and He's never late.  His timing is perfect.  I'm a early type of person or at least get somewhere right on the dot.  I struggle with those that are late, not just randomly but on a regular basis.  It drives me insane to the point that one little thing can reck the rest of my day because my attitude becomes bitter.  I hate that about me, I just get into a rut of complaining and feeling disrespected that I can't get past it, I take it as a personal blow.  I wonder if it has something to do with my perception and distrust of God.  Do I think He's late to fulfilling a promise?  Do I have an expectation that isn't realistic or true? 

When God arrives He is swift in making His judgments, His setting things right, His staying true to His word, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13).

Oh to learn God's patience when we want things here and now.  How are you trusting in God's perfect and proper time?

Psalm 74

"Oh, do not deliver the life of Your turtledove to the wild beast!
Do not forget the life of Your poor forever." v.19

Read chapter 74

The turtle-dove is a name of endearment for one beloved, in Sol 2:12, and is used here to the people of Israel. 

"Turtle Doves, of whatever species they be, whether travellers or domesticated, are equally preserved by the inhabitants of Egypt: they do not kill, and never eat them. Wishing to know the motive of this abstinence among people who possess so little in the greater part of their action, I learnt that it was for the honour of humanity. It is a consequence of the respect due to hospitality, which the Arabs hold in such high estimation, and of which they have communicated some shades to the people who dwell among them. They would regard it as a violation of this hospitality not to spare those birds, which come with a perfect confidence to live amongst them, and there to become skilful but useless receptors of love and tenderness. The very farmer, who sees his harvest a prey for the flights of turtle doves which alight on his fields, neither destroys nor harasses them, but suffers them to multiply in tranquillity. C. N.S. de M. Sonnini. 1775-1811."

The application of the turtle-dove is that of innocence, harmlessness, timidity, gentleness. The thought here is that of a people dear to God, now timid and alarmed. God has given his people wings, and a hiding place too, if he pleases to give her the use thereof also. 

Psalm 73

"Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." vv.25-26

Read chapter 73
Can you truly say with the psalmist here that there is none (no one, nothing) upon the earth that you desire besides God? This psalm describes the hearts searching for contentment.
Verses 3–12, we read the word “they” or “theirs” thirteen times.  The psalmist is looking outward, and he’s focusing on other people; he compares his circumstances to theirs. "They get away with all kinds of things, and then they prosper. They sin, and they don’t seem to reap consequences" (paraphrase). When the writer of this psalm looks out at others, he finds himself being jealous and discontent. Then beginning in verse 13, he changes his focus. He’s no longer looking outward. Now he’s looking inward, and you see the word “I” or “me” or “my” sixteen times in this paragraph. He goes on, and his focus is on himself. When he looks inward, the result is self-pity and bitterness. "Beginning at verse 23, he comes back to a focus that is upward, a focus on God, and six times in that paragraph, he talks about the Lord, You. You see, he gets his perspective back on the eternal, and the result is a heart of contentment and trust and security" (Nancy Leigh Demoss).  When all else fails, God is still there.  When we don't understand prosperity of the wicked till we ask and look to Him.  He is the best portion of this world and the one to come.  He really is all we have.  Spurgeon puts it, "turn away from the glitter which fascinates us to the true gold which is our real treasure."
How can you cultivate a contented heart?

Psalm 72

"Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him,
And His enemies will lick the dust." v.9

Read chapter 72

'Lick the dust.'  Where else does that phrase appear in scripture?  What does it remind you of?  Anyone else thinking of the curse of Satan in the garden?

Genesis 3:14: "So the Lord God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life."

This phrase 'on your belly' and 'lick the dust' makes everyone quick to believe that Satan became a snake in that moment.  Yet as we compare this phrase in other parts of scripture it might lead us to think otherwise.  We see here in psalm 72 that the enemies are described as prostrated and defeated, bowed down to God so close to the dust they can lick it.  The dust is their food which even then is too good for them since the blood of Christ has trampled them.  To lick the dust doesn't mean all enemies of Christ become snakes but  shows the humble state they are forced in to.

This is the last prayer of David recorded in the psalms.  The title of this psalm says 'of Solomon' which is somewhat confusing with the last verse of the psalm.  Perhaps Solomon was the scribe to his father's prayer while David was dying on his bed.  Yet no matter who wrote this, Jesus is, beyond all doubt, the glory of his reign and will be in the coming kingdom.