Journey Through the Psalms Part VIII
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor John’s sermon from July 27, 2025
Let’s Break it Down
Psalm 111 teaches us about praising God with our whole heart—engaging our intellect, emotions, and will in worship. True worship happens when we're part of 'the assembly of the upright,' those living faithfully for God rather than merely attending religious gatherings. Developing a deep study of God's Word creates a well-worn path to His presence, while pursuing Him wholeheartedly bridges any distance we feel. The fear of the Lord serves as the beginning of wisdom, keeping us accountable in our faith journey. Ultimately, spiritual maturity comes not just from hearing God's Word but from doing it, allowing seasons of spiritual hunger to reveal our hearts and prepare us for God's filling.
Key Takeaways
The depth of our study of God's Word is directly related to the degree that we delight in Him.
God is not hiding from us - if we seek Him with our whole heart, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
Being a hearer only of God's Word leads to self-deception; we must be doers of the Word to build wisely on the rock.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and good understanding comes to those who do His commandments.
God sometimes allows us to hunger and tests us so that we'll know what's in our hearts and learn to live by every word that proceeds from His mouth.
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Day 1:Pursuing God Wholeheartedly
Devotional: Have you ever felt distant from God? Perhaps you've attended church regularly, read your Bible occasionally, but still sensed something missing in your relationship with Him. Psalm 111 invites us to move beyond casual Christianity into wholehearted devotion. The difference between merely showing up at church and being part of "the assembly of the upright" is authenticity. It's about engaging our entire being in worship rather than offering lip service. When we truly seek God, we discover He's been waiting for us all along. The beautiful truth is that God isn't hiding from us. Any distance we feel isn't because He's moved away—it's because we've allowed other priorities to create separation. The solution isn't complicated, but it requires commitment: pursue Him with your whole heart. Today, consider what wholehearted devotion looks like in your life. Is your relationship with God characterized by convenience or commitment? Are you going through religious motions, or are you genuinely seeking His presence? God desires close communion with you—not just on Sundays, but every day.
Bible Verse
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:13
Reflection Question
What areas of your life have you been holding back from God, and what would it look like to surrender them completely to Him today?
Quote "He's not hiding from you. You're not pursuing him. He's not distancing himself from you. He wants to be as close to you as he possibly can be. He's always beckoning you into sweeter communion and fellowship with him."
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I've approached You with half-hearted devotion. I want to seek You with my whole heart. Remove anything that creates distance between us. Help me to pursue You passionately, not out of obligation but from genuine love. Amen.
Day 2:Delighting in God's Word
Devotional: When was the last time you were genuinely excited to open your Bible? Not because you felt obligated, but because you couldn't wait to hear from God? Our relationship with Scripture reveals much about our relationship with its Author. When we truly delight in God, we naturally hunger for His Word. It becomes less of a duty and more of a delight—a well-worn path to His presence that we eagerly travel. Like a favorite trail in the woods that becomes familiar through frequent visits, our time in Scripture should feel like coming home. This delight doesn't always come naturally. Sometimes we must intentionally cultivate it by approaching familiar passages with fresh eyes, asking God to reveal new insights. As we align our desires with His, we discover that what satisfies our souls isn't found in worldly pursuits but in the wisdom and guidance of His perfect Word. Today, approach Scripture not as a task to complete but as a conversation with someone who loves you deeply. Ask God to renew your delight in His Word and watch how it transforms your spiritual appetite.
Bible Verse
"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4
Reflection Question
What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate a deeper delight in God's Word rather than viewing Bible reading as just another religious obligation?
Quote "When we truly delight in God's Word, we naturally study it deeply, creating a well-worn path to His presence like a familiar trail in the woods."
Prayer
Lord, renew my love for Your Word. Forgive me for the times I've approached Scripture out of duty rather than delight. Open my eyes to see wonderful things in Your law. Transform my spiritual appetite so that I hunger for Your truth above all else. Amen.
Day 3:Holy Reverence, Practical Wisdom
Devotional: We live in a culture that often dismisses the concept of fear—especially fear of God. Yet Scripture repeatedly affirms that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." This isn't about being terrified of God but developing a holy reverence that shapes how we live. This reverent fear keeps us accountable. It reminds us that we answer to Someone greater than ourselves. It maintains integrity in our spiritual walk, especially when no one else is watching. Far from being oppressive, this reverence liberates us to live wisely. But wisdom isn't just about knowing God's commands—it's about doing them. True understanding comes through obedience. When we put God's Word into practice, we discover its life-giving power. We move from being hearers only to doers of the Word. Today, consider how holy reverence for God might transform your decisions. How might your choices change if you consistently lived with an awareness of God's presence? True wisdom begins with acknowledging God's authority and responding with obedient action.
Bible Verse
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding." - Psalm 111:10
Reflection Question
In what specific situation are you currently facing could a proper reverence for God guide you toward making a wiser decision?
Quote "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all those who do his commandments."
Prayer
Heavenly Father, cultivate in me a proper reverence for You that leads to wisdom. Help me not just to know Your commands but to follow them faithfully. May my life demonstrate the understanding that comes from obedience. Guide my decisions today with Your perfect wisdom. Amen.
Day 4:Embracing Seasons of Hunger
Devotional: Have you ever experienced a spiritual dry season? Those times when God seems distant, prayers feel hollow, and your soul aches with hunger for something more? While these seasons can be painful, they often serve a divine purpose. God sometimes allows us to experience spiritual hunger not to punish us but to reveal what's truly in our hearts. These wilderness experiences expose what we're really feeding on and whether we're genuinely satisfied by God alone or merely using Him as a supplement to worldly comforts. In Deuteronomy, we learn that God led Israel through the wilderness to humble them, test them, and ultimately to do them good. Similarly, our seasons of spiritual hunger can humble us, breaking our self-sufficiency and revealing our desperate need for God. They test what's really in our hearts—do we truly hunger for righteousness, or have we been filling ourselves with poor substitutes? If you're in a wilderness season today, don't despair. God hasn't abandoned you. He's preparing you to be filled with something better than what you've been craving.
Bible Verse
"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." - Deuteronomy 8:3
Reflection Question
What might God be trying to reveal to you through your current season of spiritual hunger, and how can you respond in a way that draws you closer to Him rather than pushing you away?
Quote "I love that God in seasons of our life will allow us to hunger so that we would know what's in our own hearts at times."
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the seasons of hunger that reveal what's truly in my heart. Help me not to run from these times but to embrace them as opportunities for growth. Show me what I've been feeding on that doesn't satisfy, and create in me a deeper hunger for Your righteousness. Fill me with Yourself alone. Amen.
Day 5:Living Faith That Others Can See
Devotional: Faith isn't meant to be a private matter confined to Sunday mornings or personal devotions. True faith transforms how we live in full view of a watching world. It's visible, tangible, and impossible to hide. When our relationship with God is genuine, it naturally overflows into our actions. We don't need to announce our faith constantly—people will see it in how we treat others, handle difficulties, make decisions, and prioritize our lives. As the saying goes, "Your life may be the only Bible some people ever read." This visible faith isn't about perfection but authenticity. It's about allowing God's work in our hearts to manifest in our daily choices. Whether you're leading a church, raising children, or working in a secular environment, someone is always watching to see if your faith is sincere. Today, consider the witness of your life. Does your visible behavior align with your professed beliefs? Are you loving not just in words but in deeds? Remember, the most powerful testimony isn't what we say about our faith but how we live it out before others.
Bible Verse
"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." - Hebrews 13:20-21
Reflection Question
Who might be watching your life as an example of faith, and what specific actions could you take this week to ensure your visible behavior authentically reflects your relationship with Christ?
Quote "Real Christianity is seen. It's not just spoken. The Bible says, don't love in word, only love in deeds. Love indeed."
Prayer
Father, make my faith visible through my actions. Help me to love not just in words but in deeds that reflect Your character. Use my life as a testimony to Your goodness and grace. Equip me with everything I need to do Your will and please You in all things. May others see Jesus in me today. Amen.