A Song of Ascents. “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”— let Israel now say—“Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows.” The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked. May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward! Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up, with which the reaper does not fill his hand nor the binder of sheaves his arms, nor do those who pass by say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!”

We see a pattern as we approach the end times, that, perhaps an over simplification, that resistance to the Word of God grows exponentially. Less and less acceptance of the Bible as authoritative in moral and ethical matters, let alone as a guide to a life of reconciliation with the LORD, God, the Almighty.

Look at that last line. How often do you hear someone end a conversation with “God bless you” today? I ended a phone conversation a few days ago, granted that had had a degree of tension, with that phrase. Silence for a short period of time, then the other person said, “I’ll accept that, God bless you also.” Hallelujah!

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 33, Noon Psalm 119:105-112, Evening Psalm 26

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel!

Not a bad prayer for one’s 85th birthday. The LORD has blessed me with a relationship with Him that grows deeper each day, a beautiful wife who walks at my side as we seek Him, three living children and six grandchildren whom we pray for daily, three children who have proceeded us into glory, fellowship in a local congregation that faithfully raises their voices in His praise, participation in a men’s fellowship that encourages me in my daily goal of increasing my Personal Mission Field, a comfortable home that the LORD is using to advance the Kingdom and reasonably good health. And there is a bluebird at the window.

Yes, I know I’m repeating myself somewhat from yesterday, Hummmm, wait til tomorrow.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 32, Noon Psalm 119:97-104, Evening Psalm 25

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

A Song of Ascents. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.

64 years ago and I did not appreciate the beauty of this psalm. Now, with the wife of my unexpected dreams, three adult and mature children and 6 grandchildren, I am beginning to understand and appreciate the wisdom in these three, somewhat terse sentences. Someday, I will meet the psalmist who wrote this and thank him with a hug and a thank you, brother.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 31, Noon Psalm 119:89-96, Evening Psalm 24

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Yesterday, the 8th of March marked the 30th anniversary of the birth of our oldest grandchild. She was and still is a gift from the LORD, God, the Almighty. I was waiting in the car in a supermarket parking lot last Friday and there she was, coming out of the market and I thought she was several 100 miles away. A grandfather’s heart surged, and not just from her presence, but from the reminder of the 5 gifts that have followed her.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 30, Noon Psalm 119:81-88, Evening Psalm 23

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Sleep, glorious refreshing sleep. A gift from the LORD, God, the Almighty which He gives to me as needed. The challenge to me is to be willing to accept the timing of the gift. To accept that it is based on His awareness of my needs, rather than upon my wants and desires. I need to be willing to adjust some of my habits to conform to His decisions, to modify my sleep and work habits accordingly.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 29, Noon Psalm 119:73-80, Evening Psalm 22

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

Song of Ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

I do not understand that last line, the going out in weeping during the planting season. Granted, I was a city boy and the family farm was not part of my life during planting season. But I did know, even at that young age that the planting was done in anticipation of the harvest.

But harvest, a totally different matter as the farmers and their wives gathered, farm by farm for the harvest. The men shared equipment and labor, the wives prepared banquets, and we, the sub-teens got to drive the smaller tractors carrying water to the laboring men. Nothing like the Iowa sun and a field full of oat sheaves to create a thirst.

Ah, yes, it was a time of joy as we met together to harvest the LORD’s bounty.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 29, Noon Psalm 119:73-80, Evening Psalm 22

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

Ayin I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me. My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken. Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.

I catch a note of pleading in this stanza, a pleading that he has lived up to the LORD, God, the Almighty directions, and therefore he deserves to be shielded from his oppressors. There’s at least a hint in every line, if not an outright plea. There is guidance from the LORD for you and I here. He does care for His own. He does watch over us and lead us in the way we are to go. If we are willing.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 28,Noon Psalm 119:65-72, Evening Psalm 21

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong. Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the LORD will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel!

These Songs of Ascents are precious guidance to us in this modern day and age. They guide us and encourage us, even though they were written 2500+/- years ago for the Israelites to sing as they went up to the Temple of the LORD, God, the Almighty in response to His commands to assemble there for worship.

What message do you get as you read, study and pray them? They are as applicable to us today as we enter into worship as they were to those pilgrims going up to the Temple of the LORD to Worship.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 27,Noon Psalm 119:57-64, Evening Psalm 20

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

A Song of Ascents. Of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side— let Israel now say— if it had not been the LORD who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters.

Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Have you had this feeling in your walk with the LORD, God, the Almighty? That your only bulwark against the onslaughts of the Evil One was that He was standing between you and the Devil?

But the real question is: “Have you remembered to thank Him thank Him for your escape from the fowler’s snares? Perhaps, more importantly, have you recognized the snare that had been set for you?

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 26,Noon Psalm 119:49-56, Evening Psalm 19

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

A Song of Ascents. To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.

So comforting to be able to raise my voice to Him and plead for a place of comfort and safety. Our little town, hidden in the hills of Vermont, is engaged in the battle to legalize pot, a battle driven by ‘big money’ greed.

The argument that it is harmless is nonsense, it is a very dangerous gateway drug leading other problems. The beginning for many of our men and women to lives lived in incarceration.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 24, Noon Psalm 119:33-40, Evening Psalm 17

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers! For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of … Peace, peace, wonderful peace that flows from the heart of God. I can hear it in the hidden recesses of my mind but not on Google. Anybody else got a hint? But whether I can find the lyrics or not, there is a peace that emanates only from the heart of the LORD, God, the Almighty.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 24, Noon Psalm 119:33-40, Evening Psalm 17

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.

A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!” Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.

“Let us go to the house of the LORD!”A grand and glorious suggestion any time whether by David or a fellow saint today. The destination will be different, we no longer go up to Jerusalem and sometimes it is a local house of worship. Sometimes it is an invitation to join a few believers for a meal at a local restaurant. Sometimes it is a few believers meeting on Zoom to study the Word. Sometimes it is a saints living room. The commonality? No matter, where, when, why, or how, we are being guided by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Join the Ailbe Community

As a member of the Ailbe Community you join a movement of men working for revival, renewal, and awakening, built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification. The Ailbe Community is devoted to practicing the Kingship of Jesus in every area of our lives. Go to www.ailbe.org/about to learn more.

Reading

Morning Psalm 23, Noon Psalm 119:25-32, Evening Psalm 16

An alternate Reading Plan is based on 7 chapters/day from 7 sections of the Scriptures. My groupings are: Genesis-Joshua, Judges to Esther, Job to Song of Solomon, Psalms breaking 119 into convenient sets, Isaiah to Malachi, Matthew to Acts, Romans to Revelation.

Or set your own reading schedule up in convenient groupings as fits your study habits. But a daily time in the Word of the LORD is an absolute.